Microsoft drops MSN feed from Windows widgets, focusing on better content delivery

Microsoft Updates Windows 11 Widgets Feature

In a recent announcement, Microsoft revealed that it is making significant changes to the widgets feature in Windows 11. The company is taking steps to make the widgets experience “quiet by default,” aiming to reduce distractions and provide a more seamless user experience.

Eliminating the MSN News Feed

One of the key changes is the removal of the MSN news feed that typically appears when users open the widgets feature. Microsoft had previously allowed users to disable this feed, but now it will be hidden by default. This move is part of an effort to make widgets less distracting and overwhelming for users.

Reducing Visual Interruptions

Microsoft is also planning to disable the widgets panel from opening when users hover over its taskbar item. Additionally, distracting taskbar badges will be turned off by default. The widgets panel will now open to widgets instead of the MSN feed, and taskbar alerts will be limited until users actively engage with the widgets experience.

Enhancing User Experience

These changes are aimed at making the taskbar less annoying for users, especially considering that the widgets section often included notifications for stocks, weather, and MSN news by default. Microsoft hopes that these updates will make widgets a more useful and integrated part of the Windows 11 operating system, encouraging more users to engage with this feature.