How to activate gadgets and widgets in Windows 11

If you want to restore the classic Windows Vista and Windows 7 widgets, in this post you will discover how to do it. Discover how you can easily enable widgets and gadgets in Windows 11.

Currently, Windows 11 is considered to be the definitive development that Microsoft has been trying to achieve over the years. But to get to this point, it has had some hits and misses in its versions, adding and removing features for users. One of these elements that have been removed from the most recent versions of this operating system are gadgets and widgets.

Although it doesn’t seem like it, widgets and widgets are very popular among users, and it can be seen even on mobile devices, as the best widgets for Android are in high demand, plus Windows PC owners have missed them since Microsoft removed them from the operating system. . And much of their fame is due to the fact that they are not only visually appealing, but also have some useful uses.

And if you’re one of the users who want to bring back the widgets in Windows 11, you’re in luck because we’ve prepared this post to tell you all about it, including all the ways to do it. Although, if you want to enable gadgets in Windows 10, you will have to follow other steps.

What are gadgets and widgets in Windows

Discover what widgets and gadgets are in Windows and what they are for

Windows Vista is one of the most controversial versions that Microsoft has developed in its entire history, because although it had many bugs and was not as polished as it should have been, it brought many suggestions that were used by Windows 7.

One of the features that Windows Vista included that is still missed even today is the widgets that can be added to the desktop for a more personalized interface. But before I tell you how you can bring them back, it’s important to go into more detail about it.

Broadly speaking, widgets are some programs that can be installed in the operating system and that provide utility tools to improve the user experience. In addition, they could be accessed directly from the desktop.

Widgets in Windows have always been very useful tools, as well as visually appealing.

In short, these are small tools designed to improve the user experience and are visible from the desktop at all times. These first appeared with Windows Vista and they won the hearts of millions of users as they had access to many useful details such as weather information, world time, stock market data, among others.

However, although the widgets or gadgets appeared with Windows Vista, they did not remain only in that version, because in Windows 7 they were also available, but they received a light renovation. However, as of Windows 8, it no longer exists.

Why Microsoft removed widgets and gadgets from Windows

Initially, the company said that the reason for removing widgets from the operating system was that they feared that they could become the target of attackers and exploit possible vulnerabilities to infect computers.

So, to prevent this possibility from happening, they made the decision to permanently end the widgets in the most recent versions of the operating system.

However, even though the company has removed the widgets, that doesn’t mean they can’t be reactivated or installed on computers.

How to enable gadgets and widgets in Windows 11

We will tell you all the ways to enable widgets in Windows 11, including with third-party tools

As we mentioned, widgets and gadgets in Windows offer many advantages in terms of utility, as they provide access to information that may be relevant. In addition, they look very nice and change the appearance of the operating system, at least a little.

Therefore, if you want to bring them back, you should know that it is possible, although you will have to use some of the methods that we will show you in the following lines. This is possible because the developer community understands that there are many users who miss them.

Enable the native widgets of Windows 11

Although it is true that Microsoft removed those widgets and gadgets that were born with Windows Vista and they continued in Windows 7, for Windows 10 he created a kind of renewed section of these tools that he called News and interests.

This is what the widget interface looks like in Windows 11

However, in Windows 11, Microsoft achieved a kind of combination between the widgets original Windows Vista with what Windows 10 offered and implemented them in the Windows 11 taskbar. Moreover, from this tool you will be able to access many useful information like the weather, time and more.

And if you want to customize these tools, you need to right-click on the widget icon on the taskbar of Windows 11 and click on add widget. This way you will enter the configuration and you will be able to use only the devices that interest you.

Install widgets with Gadgets Revived

These are some widgets that you can install in Windows 11 with Gadget Revived

If the widgets that Windows 11 brings do not seem enough for you, then it is necessary to talk about the Gadgets Revived tool with which you can use the widgets and gadgets that were originally available for Windows Vista, but now in any recent version of Microsoft’s operating system can reactivate system.

The way to use this program is simple and share by downloading the tool from the button we leave below.

Download Gadgets Revived

Once you have downloaded and installed this tool, you will need to go to the Windows desktop. Now, on an empty space, you right-click. In the contextual menu, you need to click on the option gadgets. After this, a new window will open in which you can add all the widgets you need to your desktop.

It should be noted that from this interface you will find many widget alternatives that you can use to get more out of it. In addition, they are organized according to the task they fulfill. And finally you will have its shortcuts from the desktop.

Enable widgets and gadgets in Windows 11 with 8GadgetPack

Lots of gadgets at your disposal with this interesting tool for Windows

While it is true that the above method can help you bring back the widgets, strength is in variety. Therefore, we will present other alternatives to activate these devices in Windows 11.

With 8gadgetPack you will have access to all the widgets that interest you and that were available in Windows 7. To do this, you will have to download the tool from the button that we leave you below. Fortunately, this is another free alternative.

Download 8GadgetPack

After installing this program, you will have access to a series of categories that organize the widgets so that it is easier to find the one you are interested in. Here you will see many different designs and features.

And if you’ve found a widget that interests you, you can download and install it to activate it on Windows and enjoy all the benefits it offers. Also, a major advantage of this tool is that you don’t have to download the entire library of devices, just the ones you want.

In short, Win7Gadgets is one of the best options to enable gadgets and widgets in Windows 11, as it not only offers a large library of options to choose the one you like best, but also its use is very simple and you can only install the ones you want to use. That way, it won’t take up unnecessary space on your storage unit or resources.

Enable gadgets and widgets in Windows 11 with apps from the Microsoft Store

As expected, in the Microsoft Store you can find a large number of programs of all kinds that help you get the most out of your computer. Of course, tools that allow you to bring widgets and gadgets back to Windows 11 cannot be missing.

It should be noted that the Microsoft Store is the official store of applications for your Windows, so there are many tools to enable widgets. However, this time we will focus on the following.

Download Widget Launcher from Microsoft Store

Download BeWidgets in the Microsoft Store

Download WidgetBox in Microsoft Store

Each of these programs has its own features and benefits to give you access to a bunch of widgets that let you see a lot of useful information. They are all free too.

In terms of operation, in general, you simply need to install them and access the library of widgets they offer. From this point you can select the ones that interest you and use them on the desktop.

Activate the widgets related to the performance of the computer with the Game Bar

These are some of the widgets you can see through the Game Bar in Windows

If you don’t know, in newer versions of Windows, Microsoft has implemented a feature that allows you to access features related to the performance of your games and that will allow you to enjoy a better experience. We refer to the Game Bar or Game Bar, which is pre-installed and you can run with the key combination Windows+G.

After pressing this combination, you will see the game bar appear in your interface, which offers you interesting options, such as recording the screen, among others. However, you should know that it also gives you access to widgets.

Obviously, the list of widgets provided by this Game Bar doesn’t have the same number of options as the other tools on this list, but it’s still worth getting to know, especially since it will allow you to consciously be of the performance of the equipment.

The first thing you need to do is press the key combination Windows+G to display the Game Bar. After that, you’ll need to click on the three lines in that little bar to access some widgets. This way you will have access to some widgets related to the performance of your equipment, group of games, audio and more.

So, if you are one of those who prefer to know at all times how your computer is working, RAM consumption and more, you can enable these widgets. Also, if you have Windows 10, you should know that you have a new section of gadgets that contains all kinds of information and that is integrated into the taskbar.