Revamped Discover Feed on Windows 11 Widgets Board
Windows 11 is set to unveil an exciting redesign of the Discover feed located on the Widgets board. This update brings rounded corners, multiple dashboards, and curated stories, all thanks to the innovative Copilot integration. Users will retain the option to customize their Discover feed or disable it entirely. This fresh visual experience is being rolled out with the Windows 11 25H2 update, enhancing user engagement and personalization.
A Brief History of Widgets: From Gadgets to Today
The concept of mini-applications in Windows started with Gadgets introduced in Windows Vista back in 2007. These Gadgets allowed users to access tools like weather updates, calendar events, CPU meters, and RSS feeds. Notably, the design was quite advanced for its time, and even influenced macOS with similar features in its 2023 Sonoma release.
In 2009, Windows 7 removed the Sidebar but allowed floating Gadgets on the desktop. However, Windows 8 discontinued these features due to security issues. Windows 10 introduced a feature termed “News and Interests” on the taskbar, which was met with considerable backlash due to its emphasis on Microsoft’s MSN-powered news feeds.
Widgets and Copilot: A New Beginning with Windows 11
When Windows 11 launched in October 2021, it marked the official return of Widgets as a standalone feature. However, initial user reception was lukewarm compared to the affection shown for Gadgets. The Widgets feature at first resembled the “News and Interests” functionality, still relying on MSN feeds and only accessible from the Taskbar. The subsequent addition of third-party widgets and Copilot has somewhat shifted this narrative.
Introducing Copilot Discover
In June, Microsoft announced Copilot Discover, an initiative to provide widgets that offer a “multifaceted view on a single topic.”Content presented within this feature is curated from credible MSN publishers. Although testing began with Insider builds in the Dev and Canary channels, the full rollout has yet to be seen by all users.
Significant Redesign of the Widgets Board
In a recent update on the Windows Experience Blog, Microsoft has revealed the updated look of the Discover feed on the Widgets board. The redesign features enhanced widgets, Copilot-curated stories, and a tidier personalized news feed, aiming to reduce clutter and increase usability.
The widgets now exhibit a more rounded appearance, giving off a “squircle”vibe that diverges slightly from the more traditional rounded rectangle style seen throughout Windows 11. Microsoft has also indicated that additional dashboards will soon be available, allowing users to curate their widget experiences more effectively, with a new intuitive navigation bar positioned for ease of access.
User Sentiments and Future Customizations
Despite the enhancements, feedback surrounding the current Widgets has been mixed, with many users, including myself, expressing dissatisfaction with the design aesthetic. The clutter of outdated widgets dilutes the overall experience, making it feel less appealing. The upcoming “Curated by Copilot” feature’s success will hinge on the news categories Copilot chooses to showcase.
Current limitations in customization options, such as non-resizable widgets and cumbersome modification processes, can detract from user satisfaction. Greater flexibility and a more polished aesthetic resembling the once-beloved live tiles would greatly improve user experience. Ideally, I’d like to see widgets appear on the desktop, reminiscent of the functionality in Windows 7.
The redesigned widgets and Discover feed will be launched through server-side rollouts and Copilot updates, but a specific date for the release remains unconfirmed. Once available, users can customize their feeds by navigating to Widgets > Discover Dashboard > Personalization Settings.
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