Removing news from Windows 11 is a quick and easy process. By following a few simple steps, you can declutter your taskbar and enjoy a more streamlined user experience.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Remove News from Windows 11
Before diving into the steps, let’s understand what we’re about to do. The news and interests feature in Windows 11 provides quick access to weather updates, headlines, and more right from your taskbar. While it’s a handy tool for staying informed, not everyone needs or wants it. Here’s how you can remove it.
Step 1: Right-click on the taskbar
Begin by right-clicking on an empty area of your taskbar.
When you right-click on the taskbar, a menu will pop up. This menu gives you access to various taskbar settings and customization options.
Step 2: Hover over ‘News and interests’
Move your cursor over the ‘News and interests’ option in the menu.
This will expand another submenu where you can change how the news and interests feature behaves on your taskbar.
Step 3: Click on ‘Turn off’
Click on the ‘Turn off’ option to disable the news and interests feature.
After clicking ‘Turn off’, the news and interests widget will no longer be visible on your taskbar. If you ever want to bring it back, simply follow the steps again and choose ‘Show icon and text’ or ‘Show icon only’.
After completing these steps, the news and interests feature will be removed from your taskbar, giving you a cleaner and more focused workspace.
Tips: How to Manage News and Interests on Windows 11
- If you want to customize the news and interests feature instead of removing it, you can select ‘Reduce taskbar updates’ to minimize distractions.
- To temporarily hide the news and interests widget, you can click on the taskbar and select ‘Hide for now.’
- Should you change your mind, re-enabling the feature is just as easy as removing it.
- Personalize your news feed by clicking on the ‘Manage interests’ option when you hover over the widget.
- Remember that disabling news and interests will not affect your ability to access news through other apps or browsers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove news from the taskbar without disabling other taskbar features?
Yes, you can selectively remove news from the taskbar while keeping other taskbar features intact. Just follow the steps above.
When you right-click and navigate to the ‘News and interests’ option, you’re only affecting that specific feature. Other taskbar tools and shortcuts will remain unchanged.
Will disabling news and interests improve my computer’s performance?
Disabling news and interests may slightly improve your computer’s performance by freeing up resources.
The impact on performance is generally minimal, but if you’re running on a system with limited resources, every bit helps. Removing the feature means one less process running in the background.
Can I customize the content displayed in the news and interests widget?
Yes, you can customize the content by clicking ‘Manage interests’ when the widget is enabled.
This takes you to a page where you can follow or unfollow specific topics, adjust your language and content preferences, and more.
Is it possible to only show the weather on the taskbar without news?
Yes, you can choose to display only the weather by selecting ‘Show icon only’ instead of turning the feature off completely.
This will keep the weather icon on your taskbar without the news headlines popping up.
If I turn off news and interests, will it affect other users on the same computer?
No, turning off news and interests only affects the current user profile.
Each user can customize their taskbar features according to their preferences, and changes made by one user will not impact others.
Summary
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Hover over ‘News and interests.’
- Click on ‘Turn off.’
Conclusion
Removing news from Windows 11 is an incredibly simple process that can be done in a matter of seconds. The steps provided above will help you eliminate distractions and tailor your computing experience to your preferences. Whether you’re a productivity enthusiast or someone who prefers a minimalist setup, disabling the news and interests feature can help you achieve the clean and focused environment you desire.
Moreover, it’s important to remember that technology should serve you, not the other way around. Customizing your operating system to suit your needs is a right that every user has, and taking advantage of these customization options can significantly improve your interaction with your device. If you ever find yourself missing the news and interests widget, remember that it’s just as easy to bring it back as it was to remove it.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Windows 11, staying on top of the latest updates and features will ensure that you’re getting the most out of your system. Keep experimenting with different settings, and don’t be afraid to make changes that align with your personal or professional requirements. After all, the goal is to create a space that feels uniquely yours, one that promotes productivity and provides a seamless user experience. So go ahead, take control of your taskbar, and make Windows 11 work for you.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.