A few weeks ago, the Microsoft Store welcomed the first third-party widget. It became Messenger from Meta, which shows online contacts and recent conversations in the widget menu (Win+W). Another third party responds to the possibility of creating custom widgets for Windows 11.
Namely Spotify, where you see a small player again. Microsoft itself is also starting to create other widgets, which has officially launched two more pieces. one of them is Connection with the phone, which we have unofficially heard about before. It will show you basic information about your smartphone, including battery and network status or recent notifications.
It represents the latest news Xbox, which entices you with the latest games added to Game Pass. These widgets are currently available in the Windows Insider program in the Beta channel. Microsoft has already created a separate section for widgets in the Store. They do not install separately, the links in the Store lead to the installation of programs.
The selection of widgets is still poor, but Microsoft has already reserved their own department for them in the Store
To add widgets, click the plus button in the widget menu. It does not mean that you will be successful, because Microsoft, as usual, releases news gradually. None of the fresh widgets offered are currently available to me.
The Redmonds presented an expanded offer of widgets in connection with Windows 11 build 22623.1325, which you can currently find in the Beta channel. In addition to a batch of fixes, this build brings an AI element to the Start menu. Devices connected to Azure Active Directory will see personalized file suggestions in Start. AI will select documents relevant to upcoming meetings or suggest collaborative projects.
New widgets include Spotify, Xbox and Connect to Phone
(picture: Microsoft / Windows Insider Blog)
By default, Start in Windows 11 shows the last modified files. It remains to be seen how well the use of so-called artificial intelligence, which Microsoft does not specify, will work.
Microsoft advises how to create widgets:
Resources: Windows Insider Blog
