When Windows 11 introduced the improved widgets panel, many people dismissed it as a frivolous addition. However, after experiencing it, it has become an indispensable part of many people's daily workflow, in a surprising way, and largely thanks to these indispensable widgets.
1. Weather
If you live in a place with unpredictable weather, keeping an eye on the forecast is essential. On Windows 11, the taskbar shows the current temperature most of the time, along with a small icon that hints at the mood of the day – be it sunny, rainy or overcast.
When you need a detailed forecast, just press Windows + W to open the widget panel. It provides detailed information by the hour, letting you know whether to bring an umbrella in the afternoon or dress warmly to combat the unexpected cold. Widgets are fast and intuitive, and save the effort of opening a website or checking your phone.
2. Outlook Calendar
One of the most used widgets is the Outlook calendar widget. This is the first thing many people check when they turn on their computer in the morning. It gives you a quick overview of all the day's upcoming events and a useful weekly view to help you plan ahead.
This makes it extremely convenient for you to check appointments or even add new appointments without having to open the entire Outlook application.
What people really like about the Outlook calendar widget is that it highlights local holidays. This helps you know when a holiday is approaching, so you can adjust your plans accordingly.
3. Microsoft To Do
People also use the Microsoft To Do widget to organize and track their daily tasks. From personal errands to work deadlines, widgets are always there, providing a list of things to get done.
You can use this widget to check completed tasks instantly or add new ones without opening the app. This simplicity makes it an essential tool in your daily routine, helping you stay on top of things without missing a beat.
4. Phone Link
Many people are easily distracted. Therefore, they often try their best not to use their phones while working. That's when the Phone Link widget comes in handy, acting as a bridge between your phone and PC.
With just a quick glance at the widget panel, you can check your phone's battery life and signal strength. Most importantly, you can monitor notifications. This way, you can decide whether to pause your work to respond or whether you can wait.
It's not much, but it helps resist the constant temptation to pick up my phone and interrupt my workflow.
5. Spotify
One of the things that helps stay productive while working is listening to Spotify. Windows 11 has included a mini player in the Quick Settings panel that allows playing, pausing, and skipping tracks. However, it does not allow changing playlists.
That's where the Spotify widget comes into play. With this widget, you can quickly switch between playlists depending on what you're doing – whether you need something playful to focus on or a relaxing atmosphere. This is a small, but reliable feature.
6. PC Manager
If you're someone who tends to have dozens of apps and browser tabs open, your PC can sometimes get slow, especially if you're not careful about memory usage. Luckily, Microsoft's PC Manager application provides a great solution with its “Boost” feature. This feature allows me to quickly free up memory and get everything running smoothly again.
Having PC Manager on the widget panel makes things even more convenient. This feature allows me to monitor my PC's memory usage and also provides the option to free up memory with just one click. This means you don't have to worry about your computer slowing down while you work.
7. Watchlist
The Watchlist Widget appears by default in Windows 1. It helps update stock prices and indices, cryptocurrencies and exchange rates – all in one place.
This is useful because it allows you to monitor their daily performance without opening a browser tab or launching a separate application. The best part is you can even customize the Watchlist widget to include stocks you own.
Whether you want to track the performance of your cryptocurrency portfolio or check the latest fluctuations in global exchange rates, the Watchlist widget can help you do it all.
8. Sports
As an avid football fan, you'll love keeping up to date with match scores and fixtures from leagues around the world, whether it's EPL, La Liga or Series A. However, instead of Constantly opening a dedicated app or website for updates, sports widgets on Windows 11 provide a seamless solution right on the desktop.
With just a glance, you can check the latest scores or easily see the upcoming match schedules of your favorite teams. It's convenient to have all the information you need without interrupting your workflow. Widgets work the same way for all sports, whether it's baseball, basketball, cricket, golf or anything else.
9. MagicPods
Windows 11 also supports third-party widgets, and there are quite a few handy widgets available on the Microsoft Store. However, the most loved widget among them is MagicPods. Although it is a paid app that costs $1.99, it is completely worth it for the many features it offers, such as ear detection, read-aloud notifications, and pop-up animations.
What really sets MagicPods apart is its widget. It allows you to quickly check the battery status of each headset and charging case. This feature is very useful, especially when Windows does not display the battery level of AirPods in the Settings app.
MagicPods Widget works perfectly with almost any Bluetooth headset, so you no longer have to guess when your AirPods are running low on battery.
The widgets that the article mentioned above have become indispensable in the daily routine of many people. Anyone who wants to increase their productivity and organization should try these widgets. Wish you have interesting experiences!
