I’ll be honest—when Windows 11 debuted its revamped widget board, 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 indispensable widgets.
1
Weather
I live in a city where the weather changes on a whim, so keeping an eye on the forecast is essential. On Windows 11, the taskbar conveniently displays the current temperature most of the time, along with a small icon that hints at the day’s mood—be it sunny, rainy, or overcast.
When I need a detailed forecast, I simply press Windows + W to open the widgets panel. It provides an hourly breakdown, letting me know whether to grab an umbrella for an afternoon shower or bundle up against an unexpected chill.
It’s quick and intuitive, and it saves me the hassle of opening a webpage or checking my phone.
2
Outlook Calendar
One widget I use the most is the Outlook calendar widget. It’s the first thing I check when I power on my computer in the morning. It gives me a quick snapshot of all my upcoming events for the day and a useful weekly view to help me plan ahead.
This makes it incredibly convenient to check appointments or even add new ones, all without needing to open the full Outlook app.
What I really love 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 accomplish.
I can use it to check off 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, helping 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 make a conscious effort to stay off my phone while working. That’s where the Phone Link widget comes in handy, serving as a bridge between my phone and 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. This way, I can decide whether it’s worth pausing my work to respond 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 workflow.
5
Spotify

One of the things that helps me stay productive while working is listening to Spotify. Windows 11 already includes a mini-player in the Quick Settings panel that lets me play, pause, and skip tracks. However, it doesn’t let me change playlists.
That’s 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 chill vibe to set the right ambiance. 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, particularly when I’m not careful about 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 running smoothly again.
Having PC Manager on the widgets panel makes it even more convenient. It lets me keep an eye on my PC’s memory usage and also gives the option to free it up with just a click. This means I don’t have to worry about slowdowns while working.
7
Watchlist

The Watchlist widget appears by default in Windows 11, and frankly, I haven’t bothered removing it. It keeps me updated on stock and index prices, cryptocurrencies, and currency exchange rates—all in one place.
This is useful as it allows me to monitor their daily performance without opening a browser tab or launching a separate app. The best part? I can even customize the watchlist widget to include my owned stocks.
Whether I want to track the performance of my crypto portfolio or check the latest fluctuations in global exchange rates, the watchlist widget can helps me do it all.
8
Sports

As a die-hard football (or soccer, if you prefer) fan, I love staying updated on match scores and schedules from leagues worldwide, whether it’s the EPL, La Liga, or Series A. However, instead of constantly opening a dedicated app or website for updates, the sports widget on Windows 11 provides a seamless solution right on my desktop.
With a quick glance, I can check the latest scores or easily view 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, whether it’s baseball, basketball, cricket, golf, or any other.
9
MagicPods

Windows 11 also supports third-party widgets, and there are quite 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 totally worth it for the range of features it offers, such as ear detection, read-aloud notifications, and pop-up animation.
What truly sets MagicPods apart for me is its widget. It allows me to quickly check the battery status of my individual earbuds and the charging case. This feature is useful, especially considering Windows doesn’t show the AirPods’ battery level in the Settings app.
MagicPods widget works flawlessly for almost all Bluetooth headphones, so I no longer have to guess when my AirPods are running 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’ve mentioned above have become indispensable to my daily routine. For anyone looking to boost productivity and organization, I highly recommend giving these widgets a try. They’ve certainly earned their place on my desktop.