How to add widgets to your desktop on Windows and macOS

Widgets: Enhance Your Desktop Experience on Windows and macOS

Familiar with widgets on your phone? These interactive panels offer quick access to app functions directly from your home screen. Now, enjoy the same convenience on your computer desktop! Both Windows and macOS support widgets for tasks like checking your calendar, viewing news headlines, displaying photos, and more. Setup is quick and the benefits are numerous.

Windows Widgets:

Access the Windows widgets panel by pressing Win W or clicking the icon (often a blue and white box or displaying dynamic info like weather) on the far left of your taskbar. If the icon is missing, enable it via Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Widgets.

Several pre-installed widgets are available. Customize existing widgets by clicking the three dots (hide/pin) or the Customize widget link (modify displayed content). Add new widgets using the button, choosing from Microsoft's selection or browsing the Microsoft Store via the Find more widgets option.

For desktop widgets (not just the panel), use a third-party tool like Widget Launcher (available in the Microsoft Store). This tool offers a wider variety of widgets, easily added to your desktop and customized using the Widget Launcher window or individual widget cog icons.

macOS Widgets:

macOS widgets reside in a sidebar accessed by clicking the time and date in the top right corner. To add them to your desktop, Ctrl click an empty desktop area and select Edit Widgets.

Choose from a selection of widgets (depending on installed apps). Each widget may offer different sizes and displays (e.g., a simple date or a detailed calendar view). Drag widgets to reposition them, use the green icon for automatic placement, or move them from the sidebar to the desktop.

Customize widget size and settings (if available) via Ctrl click on the desktop widget. For example, the weather widget might allow you to adjust size and location.

iPhone users can seamlessly integrate their app widgets onto their macOS desktop. Enable this by going to Apple menu > System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Use iPhone widgets. You can also adjust the Widget style between monochrome and full color.

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