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I’ll be honest – when Windows 11 debuted its revamped widget table, I, like many others, dismissed it as a frivolous addition. However, after giving it a chance, it has surprisingly become an integral part of my daily workflow, and that’s largely thanks to these must-have widgets.
1
time
I live in a city where the weather changes on a whim, so keeping an eye on the forecast is essential. In Windows 11, the The taskbar conveniently displays the current temperature most of the time, with a small icon that suggests the mood of the day, be it sunny, rainy or cloudy.
When I need a detailed forecast, I just press it Windows + W to open the widgets panel. It provides a time breakdown, which lets me know if I should take an umbrella for an afternoon shower or bundle up against an unexpected cold.
It’s quick and intuitive, and saves me the hassle of opening a web page or checking my phone.
2
Outlook Calendar
One widget that I use the most is the Outlook calendar widget. It’s the first thing I check when I turn on my computer in the morning. It gives me a quick snapshot of all my upcoming events for the day and a handy weekly view to help me plan ahead.
This makes it incredibly convenient to check appointments or even add new ones, all without having to open the full Outlook app.
What I really like about the Outlook calendar widget is that it also highlights local public holidays. This helps me stay aware of when a holiday is approaching, so I can adjust my plans accordingly.
3
Microsoft to do
I also use the Microsoft To Do widget to keep my daily tasks organized and on track. From personal errands to work deadlines, the widget is always there, providing a list of what I need to do.
I can use it to check completed tasks on the fly or add new ones without even opening the app. This simplicity makes it an essential tool in my daily routine, which helps me stay on top of everything without missing a beat.
4
Phone link
I’m not going to lie, I’m easily distracted. So, I made a conscious effort to stay off my phone while working. This is where the Phone Link widget comes in handy, serving as a bridge between my phone and the PC.
With a quick glance at the widgets panel, I can check my phone’s battery life and signal strength. Most importantly, I can keep track of notifications. That way, I can decide if it’s worth pausing my work to answer or if it’s something that can wait.
It’s not much, but it helps me resist the constant temptation to pick up my phone and disrupt my work flow.
5
Spotify
One of the things that helps me stay productive while working listening to Spotify. Windows 11 already includes a mini-player in the Quick Settings panel that allows me to play, pause and skip tracks. However, it won’t let me change playlists.
This is where the Spotify widget comes in. With it, I can quickly switch between playlists depending on what I’m doing, whether I need something upbeat to stay focused or a cool vibe to set the right mood. It’s a small feature, but one I’ve come to rely on.
6
PC manager
As someone who tends to have dozens of apps and browser tabs open, my PC sometimes lags, especially when I’m not paying attention to memory usage. Fortunately, Microsoft’s PC Manager app offers an excellent solution with its “Boost” feature. This allows me to quickly free up memory and get things back to normal.
Having PC Manager on the widget panel makes it even more convenient. I allow myself keep an eye on my PC’s memory usage and also gives you the option to release it with just one click. This means I don’t have to worry about slowdowns while I’m working.
7
Watch list
The Watchlist widget appears by default in Windows 11, and frankly, I didn’t bother to remove it. It keeps me updated on stock and index prices, cryptocurrencies, and currency exchange rates – all in one place.
This is useful because it allows me to monitor its daily performance without opening a browser tab or launching a separate app. The best part? I can also customize the watchlist widget to include my own stocks.
If I want to track the performance of my crypto portfolio or check the latest fluctuations in global exchange rates, the watchlist widget can help you do everything.
8
Sports
As a football fan (or football if you prefer), I like to stay up to date on the results of matches and schedules of leagues all over the world, be it the EPL, La Liga, or Series A. However, instead of always opening a dedicated app. or website for updates, the sports widget in Windows 11 provides a perfect solution right on my desktop.
With a quick glance, I can check the latest scores or easily see the upcoming schedule for my favorite teams. It’s incredibly convenient to have all the information I need without interrupting my workflow. The widget works the same way for all sports, be it baseball, basketball, cricket, golf, or any other.
9
MagicPods
Windows 11 also supports third-party widgets, and there are a few handy ones available on the Microsoft Store.
However, my favorite among them is MagicPods. While it’s a paid app that costs $1.99, it’s worth it for the range of features it offers, such as ear detection, read-aloud notifications, and pop-up animation.
What really sets MagicPods apart for me is its widget. It allows me to quickly check the battery status of my individual headphones and the charging case. This feature is useful, especially considering that Windows is not shows the battery level of the AirPods in the Settings app.
The MagicPods widget works perfectly for almost all Bluetooth headphones, so I no longer have to guess when my AirPods are low on battery.
Download: MagicPods ($1.99, free trial available)
While I’m not a big fan of the stories and articles Windows pushes through the widgets panel, the widgets I mentioned above have become indispensable to my daily routine. For anyone looking to improve productivity and organization, I highly recommend giving these widgets a try. They have certainly earned their place on my desktop.
