Full-screen widgets are coming to a future Windows 11 update TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. Full-screen widgets are coming to a future Windows 11 update By Daryl Baxter published 15 September 2022 Check your Xbox gamerscore in style (Image credit: TechRadar) Audio player loading… A better view for your widgets in Windows 11 is finally happening thanks to a recent Insider build that's available to download. If you're a member of the Windows Insider program (opens in new tab) on the Dev Channel (which allows you to install Windows 11 updates that are made up of features that are in testing) you can try out a new view of widgets where they cover your desktop in build 25201. Widgets are in fashion currently, with Google and Apple also implementing them in new and different ways to help us manage important information at a glance. At the moment, the iPhone 14 line showcases them as a headline feature on the Lock Screen, but there's plenty of untapped potential on desktop PCs, something that Apple has yet to do in macOS Ventura. This is most likely why we're seeing widgets be improved in Windows 11, to not only get there first but to do it in a way that makes sense for the operating system on desktops and laptops. Widgets are in this year Widgets on Windows have been around since Windows Vista, when they were called 'Gadgets'. They were slow, locked to the right-hand side, would crash constantly on my laptop, and barely any were useful; Eventually, they were abandoned by Microsoft once Windows 8 arrived. Fast forward to Windows 11 and the upcoming major update and widgets are making a comeback. It's telling that Microsoft is already working on improving how widgets work and how they look. With macOS Ventura scheduled to launch in October with no improvement to widgets on the Mac, it's an opportunity for Microsoft to set the standard for how widgets can work on a PC. This expanded view will be a big help to further prove this, especially how the improvements to the Game Pass widget will show you the latest games available to play. Granted, we may see this feature be delayed for a future update, such as the 'Moment' release, but it's encouraging to already see progress for widgets, and that Microsoft isn't prepared to leave them by the wayside again. Daryl BaxterSoftware & Downloads WriterDaryl had been freelancing for 3 years before joining TechRadar, now reporting on everything software-related. In his spare time he's written a book, 'The Making of Tomb Raider', alongside podcasting and usually found playing games old and new on his PC and MacBook Pro. If you have a story about an updated app, one that's about to launch, or just anything Software-related, drop him a line. See more Operating systems news TechRadar Newsletter Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST POPULARMOST SHARED1You may not have to sell a body part to afford the Nvidia RTX 4090 after all2One of the world's most popular programming languages is coming to Linux3The iPhone 14 Pro is made of the wrong stuff; the Pixel 7 proves that to me4Stop saying Mario doesn't have an accent in The Super Mario Bros. Movie5Google Pixel Tablet is what Apple should've done ages ago1Best laptops for designers and coders 2The iPhone 14 Pro is made of the wrong stuff; the Pixel 7 proves that to me3Stop saying Mario doesn't have an accent in The Super Mario Bros. Movie4iPhone 15 tipped to come with an upgraded 5G chip5Google Pixel Tablet is what Apple should've done ages ago Technology Magazines (opens in new tab)● (opens in new tab)The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviewsFrom$12.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)