Microsoft continues the good work on Windows 11, with tweaks to 'quiet' ads and that big taskbar change is 'coming soon'

Date:
Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Description:
I've had my doubts about Microsoft's campaign to fix Windows 11 this year,
but they're slowly melting away.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Microsoft has toned down the
ads and annoyances with Windows 11's widgets panel In testing, the new
default settings are a lot less in-your-face and distracting This is part of
a large slab of work to improve Windows 11 in the past month, and Microsoft has further promised another major change is inbound for the taskbar soon Microsoft has made a useful move to tame ads on the widgets board in Windows 11 ( as previously promised ), and it has updated us on the overall progress in fixing the OS so far complete with an assurance that the big taskbar change some folks are desperate for is coming soon.

Windows Latest reports that in a preview build released a few days back in the new Experimental channel which hosts the earliest test builds, before beta there's a change to make the widgets board 'quieter', which is Microsoft-speak for less in-your-face with advertisements and promoted news stories. Microsoft tells us : "We're working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience quiet by default. To do this, we're testing a new set of default settings designed to reduce unexpected alerts and visual interruptions." Article continues below You may like Microsoft says a 'chill OS with fewer upsells is a goal' for Windows 11 Microsoft promises to fix the biggest issues in Windows 11, including AI Big changes are coming to Windows 11 fast, as execs turn over a new leaf

These new defaults mean that mousing over the widgets section on the taskbar will no longer cause the panel to pop up. More importantly, when the widgets board is summoned, you will get the "widgets experience on first launch", meaning by default the panel will be just widgets with no MSN feed.

That MSN (Microsoft Network) feed is where Microsoft makes revenue from the widgets in the interface, pushing news stories and ads, and it's not
something many people want to see at least not by default. If you want to turn it back on, though, that's entirely possible with the new way of
working, as you might expect.

Microsoft is also toning down taskbar badging for the widgets panel, which is when little notification dots pop up, say, for breaking news.

Remember that these changes are still only in testing for now, and at an
early stage of that process too. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Analysis: 'top improvements' being pushed through (Image credit: Future / Microsoft) Essentially, Microsoft is smoothing over a bunch of distractions with the widgets panel here and turning off some of the advertising in Windows 11 by default. That's great news for everyone, and
it's also a positive sign that, in its big revamp of Windows 11, Microsoft isn't afraid to make changes users really want, even if they could
potentially interfere with its revenue stream.

I've recently written about my doubts about Microsoft calming down its upselling activities in Windows 11, so I'm pleased to see action actually being taken to pull back on some of the promotional nonsense that's included by default as part of the operating system .

These widget changes are mentioned in a lengthy blog post that Microsoft
wrote about the "top improvements" that have started rolling out in testing, and it's quite a list, from making File Explorer speedier and improving
system performance in general, through to a bunch of important changes to Windows Update . What to read next Microsoft promises big changes for Windows 11 'every month this year' Microsoft is working hard on improving the design side of Windows 11 Microsoft has finally started its campaign to 'make
Windows 11 better'

Another key bit of info dropped here is Microsoft saying, "We know there's a lot of excitement for Taskbar customization and that's coming soon."

So, the ability to move the taskbar away from the bottom of the screen (and other useful customization options) isn't far off, and that's good to hear.
It seems that the rumors of this being a top priority for Microsoft were on the money.

All in all, it's good to see that Microsoft wants to stay engaged with
Windows 11 users, and that it's keeping us all up to date regularly, and pushing promised changes through with some alacrity including reining in
some ad-related blights on the OS.

Fixing Windows 11 remains a mountainous task, don't get me wrong, but I'm starting to have more faith that Microsoft may actually pull this off. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-continues-the-good-work- on-windows-11-with-tweaks-to-quiet-ads-and-that-big-taskbar-change-is-coming-s oon


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