Microsoft tests redesigned and better-organized Windows widgets, here's how to enable them

The latest Windows 11 Canary build adds a bit of order to the cluttered Windows Widgets space, with Microsoft mixing useful widgets with less useful news (The Meaning of Your Dreams: Read These Surprising Interpretations! And More). Build 25324 features a larger 3-column canvas with dedicated sections for widgets and feeds.

Not all Insiders will have access to the updated widget experience - it's another feature that's being rolled out gradually to help Microsoft monitor feedback before pushing it to a wider audience. However, you can force enable it using the ViVeTool app.

NOTE: Back up important data before using the ViVeTool application. It can break things and make unstable Windows builds even more buggy!

How to enable updated Windows Widgets in build 25324?

1. Launch the Microsoft Store and update Windows Web Experience Pack to version 523.8200 or later.
2. Download ViveTool from GitHub and extract the files into a convenient and easy-to-find folder.
3. Press Win X and select Terminal (Admin).
4. Switch the Windows Terminal to the Command Prompt profile using the Ctrl Shift 2 shortcut or click the down arrow button at the top of the window.
5. Use the CD command to navigate to the folder containing the ViveTool files. For example, if you have placed the ViveTool in C:\Vive, type CD C:\Vive.
6. Type vivetool /enable /id:43028164 and press Enter key.
7. Restart your computer.

Microsoft says the updated widgets will help users quickly access at-a-glance content from their favorite apps and services. Furthermore, it also enables users to "enjoy high-value breaks with personalized news content," considering Microsoft promotes it in the feed. Additionally, providing two columns for news and only one column for widgets speaks volumes about what Microsoft considers more important.

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