Is that pesky on-screen weather in Windows 11 always popping up on your lock screen? If so, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to regain control of your lock screen and eliminate that unwanted weather report.
Here is a quick step-by-step guide to disable the on-screen weather in Windows 11:
- Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.
- Click on “Personalization”.
- Click on “Taskbar”.
- Toggle off the “Widgets” switch.
However, this is just an overview of the steps. Therefore, continue reading the blog further to learn more methods with detailed steps to disable or remove the on-screen weather in Windows 11.
How to disable On-Screen Weather in Windows 11 ?
In this section, we will guide you through the various methods to disable the on-screen weather feature in Windows 11.
First, we’ll start with simple taskbar adjustments. Then, we’ll move on to more advanced tweaks using the Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor. Overall, we’ll cover all the steps you need to customize your desktop experience.
Method 1: Using the Settings App (Recommended for most users)
To begin with, this is the simplest method to disable the on-screen weather in Windows 11.
- Open Settings: Firstly, press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Personalization: Next, click on “Personalization” from the menu.
- Select Taskbar: Then, click on “Taskbar” in the left-hand pane.
- Disable Widgets: Finally, locate the “Widgets” toggle switch and turn it off.
As a result, once you’ve turned off the Widgets toggle, the weather widget, along with other widgets, will be removed from your taskbar.
Method 2: Using the Local Group Policy Editor (For Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions)
Open the Run Dialog:
- To start, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Launch Group Policy Editor:
- Next, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
Navigate to the Widgets Policy:
- In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Widgets
Disable Widgets:
- After that, double-click on the “Allow widgets” policy.
- Then, select “Disabled” and click “Apply” then “OK”.
Restart Your PC:
- Lastly, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Also Check: How to use dark mode in Windows 11 ?
Method 3: Disable Weather Widget from the Taskbar
Right-click on the Taskbar:
- First, right-click on an empty area of your taskbar.
Open Taskbar Settings:
- Then, select “Taskbar settings” from the context menu.
Toggle Off the Widgets:
- Next, in the Taskbar settings, locate the “Widgets” option.
- Finally, toggle the switch to “Off” to disable the weather widget from the taskbar.
Method 4: Disable Weather Widget via Registry Editor
Open the Run Dialog:
- First, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Launch Registry Editor:
- Next, type regedit and press Enter.
Navigate to the Widgets Registry Key:
- Then, in the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh
Create a New DWORD Value:
- After that, right-click on the right pane, select “New”, and then “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.
- Next, name the new value AllowNewsAndInterests.
Set the Value Data:
- Subsequently, double-click on AllowNewsAndInterests.
- Then, set the value data to 0 and click “OK”.
Restart Your PC:
- Finally, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Method 5: Remove Weather from the Lock Screen
Open Settings:
- To begin, press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to Personalization:
- Next, click on “Personalization” from the sidebar.
Open Lock Screen Settings:
- Then, click on “Lock screen”.
Change Lock Screen Background:
- After that, under the “Background” section, select “Picture” or “Slideshow” instead of “Windows Spotlight”.
Remove Detailed Status:
- Lastly, under “Lock screen status”, select an app other than Weather, or select “None”.
Note: In case you want to enable the on-screen weather in Windows 11, whether it’s for your daily tasks or any other reason, follow the same steps mentioned above. However, instead of disabling, toggle the switch to the “on” position or, in other methods, select “Enable” or “Turn on.”
Also Check: How to record screen on Windows 11 ?
How do I add weather to the start menu in Windows 11 ?
The Start menu is primarily designed for launching applications and accessing quick settings. While it’s possible to pin apps or folders to the Start menu, adding dynamic information like weather is currently not a supported feature.
However, there are several alternatives you can consider:
Use the Widgets Panel
This is the most convenient way to access weather information quickly.
- First, to open the Widgets panel, click on the Widgets icon on your taskbar or press Windows key + W.
Pin the Weather App to the Start Menu
- Next, while this doesn’t directly add weather to the Start menu, it provides quick access to the app.
- To do this, first open the Start menu, search for “Weather,” right-click on the Weather app, and choose “Pin to Start.”
Third-Party Weather Apps
Many third-party weather apps offer features like live tiles or desktop widgets that can display weather information.
- Therefore, check the Microsoft Store or other app stores for suitable options.
- Popular Weather Apps:
- AccuWeather
- The Weather Channel
- MSN Weather
- Carrot Weather (for a more humorous approach)
Desktop Customization Tools
Some third-party tools allow for advanced desktop customization, including adding weather information to the desktop.
- Be cautious when using such tools, as they might affect system stability.
- Popular Desktop Customization Tools:
- Rainmeter: Offers extensive customization options, including weather displays.
- Desktop Gadgets Pack: Provides a variety of gadgets, including weather, for your desktop.
Also Check: How do you skip the Microsoft account setup in Windows 11 ?
Conclusion
In conclusion, managing the on-screen weather display in Windows 11 is easier than you might think. Whether you prefer a clean, distraction-free taskbar or enjoy having weather information at your fingertips, you now have the tools to customize your experience.
Throughout this guide, we’ve explored various methods, from simple toggles in the Settings app to more advanced tweaks using the Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor.
Moreover, remember, if you ever change your mind, you can always re-enable the weather widget using the same steps.
Although, while adding weather directly to the Start menu isn’t currently possible, we’ve suggested alternatives like using the Widgets panel or pinning the Weather app for quick access.
Ultimately, Windows 11 offers flexibility in how you interact with weather information, allowing you to tailor your desktop experience to your personal preferences and needs.
Source: [ answers.microsoft, askvg, winaero, pureinfotech ]
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
To remove weather from your Windows 11 login screen, go to Settings -> Personalization -> Lock screen. Under “Lock screen status,” select “None” to disable all information, including weather, from appearing on your login screen.
First ensure the Widgets feature is enabled in Taskbar settings. If it’s on, try refreshing the widget by clicking the three dots in the top right corner and selecting “Refresh.” If issues persist, check for Windows updates or try restarting your PC.
To hide the weather icon in Windows 11, right-click on the taskbar, select “Taskbar settings,” then turn off the “Widgets” toggle switch. This will remove the weather icon and all other widgets from your taskbar.
