Disable Widgets
The `AllowWidgets` `DWORD` value, when set to `0`, disables Windows Widgets at the device level.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Widgets\AllowWidgets
The AllowWidgets DWORD value, when set to 0, disables Windows Widgets at the device level. This also makes the Widgets Board unavailable. Widgets provide customizable content such as news and feeds.
Notes
Security
Disabling the feature prevents Widgets from retrieving and refreshing its online content. It does not generally block connections to Microsoft or other services and should not be treated as a comprehensive network or privacy control.
Possible side effects
Applications and Windows components that depend on the Widgets service might stop working or lose the functionality provided by that service.
Notes
Microsoft previously documented this registry value as a way to turn off Widgets. Current Microsoft documentation instead refers to the Allow widgets computer policy or the AllowNewsAndInterests CSP setting. That current policy maps to the different registry value HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh\AllowNewsAndInterests. The two registry values therefore must not be treated as technically interchangeable; the effect of AllowWidgets can depend on the Windows version in use.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: NewsAndInterests Policy CSP