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Microsoft Silences MSN Junk Feed in Windows 11 Widgets
5 May
Summary
- Windows 11 widgets will soon be quiet by default, hiding MSN news.
- Taskbar hover to open widgets and distracting badges will be disabled.
- These improvements are rolling out throughout 2026 as part of Windows 11 updates.
Microsoft is implementing changes to make the Windows 11 Widgets feature "quiet by default," significantly reducing distractions for users. The MSN news feed, often seen as a junk feed, will no longer appear by default when opening the Widgets panel. This move is part of an effort to make the overall Widgets experience less overwhelming and interruptive.
Further enhancements include disabling the automatic opening of the Widgets panel when hovering over its taskbar icon. Distracting taskbar badges that signal new notifications will also be turned off by default. These adjustments aim to declutter the taskbar and make Widgets a more useful, less intrusive element of Windows 11.
These updates are part of Microsoft's continuous improvement cycle for Windows 11, which also involves removing unnecessary Copilot buttons from applications and modernizing system tools like the Run prompt. Performance enhancements for File Explorer and improved memory management are also planned. These changes are scheduled to be rolled out gradually throughout 2026.
