Windows 11 is about improving design based on WinUI and it also brings back a long-lost feature called “widget” which is similar to Windows Vista gadget. If you have used Windows 7 or Windows Vista in the past, you must be familiar with the term gadget or widget. Windows 11 can get support for third-party widgets like Windows Vista.
Unfortunately, Windows 11 widgets are not entirely based on Windows Vista or Windows 7 gadget concepts. At the moment, Windows 11 cannot be pinned to the desktop and they only appear on the widget board. In addition, the widget option in current builds is only the Microsoft Apps widget and news and interest feed.
Reliable sources have previously revealed that Microsoft plans to add support for third-party widgets. Third-party support will allow you to customize the widget board to your liking.
Initially, Windows 11 version 22H2 will only support third-party widgets. And later third-party support will be added to the original version of the operating system.
It’s worth noting that we didn’t find APIs related to third-party widgets in the current preview. Or stable build of the OS. Indicating that the initial third-party previews are still weeks or months away.
Windows 11 can get support for third-party widgets
The third-party widget feature of Windows 11 will require a newer version of the Windows Web Experience Pack. And developers will be able to publish their widgets in the Microsoft Store.
As Windows 11 uses web experience packs for the Widget Board. Microsoft will also introduce third-party support for older versions of the OS. The move would significantly improve the widget panel. But it’s not yet clear if the tech giant will allow apps that aren’t listed in the Microsoft Store.
Probably more developers will start working with Microsoft on new widgets for Windows 11. Probably sooner than expected because the company wants this feature to be ready before the summer of 2022. And users will be able to view weather updates directly on the taskbar. Such as the Windows 10 taskbar news and interest widgets.
Previous reports indicate that Microsoft plans to launch Windows 11 version 22H2 “Sun Valley 2” by the summer of 2022. The release date is not surprising, as it is going to be an annual update for the OS. And the rollout will be rolled out by the end of the summer. Perfect with the original version of the original release.