Redesigned Windows 11 Widgets Board Undergoing Trials, Introducing Copilot Discover Feed - Personalized AI-curated stories right on your desktop computer
Microsoft is shaking up the user experience of its Windows 11 operating system with a redesigned Widgets Panel featuring an AI-driven news feed called Copilot Discover.
The traditional MSN feed is being replaced by the new Copilot Discover feed, which utilises artificial intelligence to curate stories based on users' preferences and Copilot activity. This change promises a more personalised and faster user experience. The feed boasts interactive elements such as upvoting/downvoting stories, following or blocking specific news outlets, bookmarking, and automatic playback of embedded videos. Users can now read some articles directly within the widgets panel, saving the step of opening a browser and improving continuity.
The new layout moves widgets to a separate Widgets tab, accessible from the top left of the panel. Only the weather widget remains on the main feed and cannot be moved or resized.
A Notifications button within the feed highlights breaking news and stock market updates tailored to user preferences, enhancing timely information delivery directly in the panel.
Microsoft also plans to allow users to customise and pin widgets directly to the Windows 11 lock screen, enabling users to add, remove, and rearrange widgets such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic with support for small-sized widgets. This feature is rolling out gradually.
If feedback is positive, the new Copilot Discover feed is likely to roll out more broadly over the coming weeks. The updates are currently being tested with a small subset of users.
The Widgets Board on Windows 11 is undergoing changes and improvements, as part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to deepen AI integration throughout Windows and related services, aiming for a more seamless, personalised, and feature-rich widget experience.
- The Widgets Panel in Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system is receiving an update, replacing the traditional MSN feed with the AI-driven Copilot Discover feed.
- Copilot Discover uses artificial intelligence to curate stories based on users' preferences and Copilot activity, promising a more personalised and faster user experience.
- Microsoft is planning to allow users to customize and pin widgets directly to the Windows 11 lock screen, supporting small-sized widgets like Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic.
- The new Copilot Discover feed is currently being tested with a small subset of users, with plans to roll out more broadly if feedback is positive, as part of Microsoft's broader strategy to deepen AI integration.
