Starting with the release ofWindows 11 in 2021, Microsoft implemented an all-new widgets framework into its flagship PC operating system. Serving as a spiritual successor to the company’s previousLive Tilesand Windows Gadgets of yesteryear, Windows 11 widgets are small applets that present dynamic information on screen for quick glanceability.
Unfortunately,Microsoft’s native widgets solutionfor Windows 11 arrived with a number of flaws, many of which persist to this day. Aside from the lack of compelling third-party apps that plug into the feature, these applets are stowed away in a web-based “Widgets Board” that is obfuscated from view, laggy, and cluttered with an MSN news feed that only recently became disableable.
To its credit, Microsoft is in the process of bringing its widgets systemover to the Windows 11 lock screen, and the company is alsotesting a native non-web-tech versionof the Widgets Panel in current Windows Insider Preview Builds of the OS. That being said, two glaring issues persist: the lack of third-party widgets, and the inability to pin widgets directly onto the desktop.
Widgets are meant to be glanceable and convenient, and every other mainstream operating system has settled on allowing users to pin them directly onto the home screen or desktop environment for quick access. Thankfully, there are several excellent third-party solutions on the market that can bring widgets directly onto theWindows 11desktop – here are five in particular that I’ve relied on in the past.
5 apps I use to make Windows Search more like macOS Spotlight
Compared to Spotlight on macOS, Windows Search leaves something to be desired – here are 5 apps that can supercharge Windows 11’s search prowess.
1Widget Launcher
An all-in-one solution for interactive widget lovers
Widget Launcher
Widget Launcher is a third-party spiritual successor to Windows Vista’s Gadgets feature, allowing you to place useful widgets directly onto your PC’s desktop.
Windows 11 is great, but I wish Microsoft would give its screensavers more love
Windows screensavers are an iconic part of the PC’s history, and Microsoft needs to modernize them yesterday.
2BeWidgets
A simple and easy-to-use desktop widgets solution
BeWidgets is a third-party widgets application for Windows 11 that lets you place customizable applets directly onto your PC’s main desktop environment.
5 retro Windows 11 apps that fill me with nostalgic joy
These popular Windows programs first hit the PC scene in the 1990s and early 2000s, and they’re still very much around today.
3Live Tiles Anywhere
The best option for lovers of Microsoft’s Live Tiles era
Live Tiles Anywhere
Live Tiles Anywhere is a third-party Windows 11 application that brings back the dynamically updating Live Tiles from the Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 days.
If you’re someone who looks back at Microsoft’s Windows 8 and Windows Phone days with fondness, then Live Tiles Anywhere is the perfect modern-day solution for you. Conceptually, Live Tiles continue to offer a unique blend of functionality, serving as app icons, widgets, and notification tickers all in a single package. Similar toLauncher 10andSquare Homeon Android, Live Tiles Anywhere ports much of the Live Tiles experience over to the modern PC, complete with resizable widget tiles that dynamically update throughout the day. Best of all, the app is entirely free, with no ads or in-app purchases to worry about.
5 retro Windows games that will bring you right back to 2007
Microsoft has bundled in some downright iconic PC games into Windows throughout the years - here are 5 of my all-time favorites.
4Rainmeter
A PC customization tool with access to widgets galore
Rainmeter is a comprehensive and open-source PC customization tool that lets you skin your Windows 11 desktop in any number of unique ways.
Rainmeter is a popular desktop customization tool for Windows that lets you make sweeping changes to the look and feel of your PC. The app allows you to tap into an entire ecosystem of ‘skins,’ which are highly adjustable widget-like applets. The app’s manager interface can take a bit of getting used to, and it’s possible to get lost with all the technical components and options on offer. Even so, the app is simple enough to get the hang of within a few minutes, and it comes with a solid set of useful in-box widgets to choose from. Not only is Rainmeter an entirely free program, but it’s also open-source – making it an ideal choice for both flexibility and source code transparency.
5 upcoming Windows 11 additions that I can’t wait for
Windows 11 remains a work in progress for Microsoft - here are 5 PC features the company is working on that have me eager to tap on Windows Update.
5Better Widgets
The slickest option out there
Better Widgets - light desktop widgets
Better Widgets is a third-party app for Windows 11 that brings native-feeling widgets to the desktop, with customization controls over transparency and more.
Microsoft has a Windows 10 problem, and the clock is about to strike midnight
Windows 10 will be sunset as of July 27, 2025, and Microsoft really wants you to hop on the Windows 11 bandwagon.
