The Discover feed on the Widgets board in Windows 11 is undergoing a significant transformation, embracing a fresh design characterized by rounded corners, multiple dashboards, and curated stories powered by Copilot. Users will retain the ability to customize their Discover feed or opt to disable it entirely. This revamped visual experience is set to roll out to PCs with the Windows 11 25H2 update.
Reflecting on the evolution of widgets, one can trace their lineage back to Windows Vista in 2007, which introduced Gadgets—Microsoft’s version of widgets that hosted mini-apps such as weather updates, calendars, CPU meters, and RSS feeds. This innovative feature was ahead of its time, so much so that even macOS incorporated a similar concept in its 2023 Sonoma release. Windows Vista showcased its widgets within a dedicated Windows Sidebar, a feature that was later removed in Windows 7, allowing Gadgets to float freely on the desktop. However, Windows 8 discontinued Gadgets altogether due to security concerns, and Windows 10 followed suit by introducing “News and Interests” on the taskbar, which faced considerable backlash for its intrusive nature.
With the launch of Windows 11 in October 2021, Microsoft reintroduced Widgets as a standalone feature, though it did not garner the same affection from users as Gadgets once did. Initially, the Widgets feature was a modified version of News and Interests, still reliant on the MSN feed and accessible solely from the Taskbar. Over time, support for third-party widgets was added, and Copilot made its debut within the Widgets environment.
What is Copilot Discover for the Windows Widgets board?
Announced by Microsoft in June, Copilot Discover aims to provide a multifaceted view on a single topic, summarizing content from trusted MSN publishers. Currently, this feature is being tested with Insider builds in the Dev and Canary channels, although it has yet to be rolled out to all users.
Widgets board in Windows 11 is getting a massive redesign
In a recent update shared on the Windows Experience Blog, Microsoft revealed that the Discover feed on the Widgets board has been refreshed with a new aesthetic. This includes redesigned widgets, Copilot-curated stories, and a more organized personalized news feed that appears neater and less cluttered.
The new widgets, as depicted in the official render, feature a more rounded appearance compared to their predecessors. While the overall organization appears tidy, the rounded edges may seem somewhat out of place, diverging from the typical rounded-rectangle design that Windows 11 is known for. Microsoft has indicated that the Widgets board will soon support multiple dashboards, allowing users to create additional dashboards that host their preferred widgets and feeds, easily navigable via a new left-side navigation bar.
Despite the anticipated improvements, user sentiment towards Widgets remains mixed. Many, including myself, find the current design lacking, feeling reminiscent of an outdated operating system. The cluttered appearance, with large, sensationalized thumbnails and bold headlines, can feel intrusive rather than informative.
The effectiveness of the upcoming Curated by Copilot widget will largely depend on the quality of news selected for each user, reminiscent of the success seen with Google Discover. Furthermore, the current Widgets board lacks the level of customization many users desire; resizing widgets is cumbersome, requiring multiple clicks rather than a straightforward drag-and-drop interface.
While it is commendable that Microsoft is taking steps to enhance the user experience, there remains a delicate balance between customization and aesthetic appeal. The new Discover feed, while reminiscent of live tiles, may not fully resonate with users due to its squircle design. Ideally, widgets should embody the principles of Fluent Design, and it would be a welcome addition if users could place widgets directly on their desktops, akin to the functionality seen in Windows 7.
The rollout of the new widgets and Discover feed will occur server-side and through updates to the Copilot app, although Microsoft has not specified a timeline. Once available, users can personalize their feeds by navigating to Widgets > Discover dashboard > Personalization settings.
