Microsoft is ending its practice of displaying the MSN news feed in the Windows 11 widgets panel by default. The move follows a two-year period during which users were given the option to disable the feed.
In an effort to make the widgets experience less distracting, Microsoft announced that it will soon hide the MSN feed by default as part of a broader initiative to create a "quiet by default" environment.
"We're working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience quiet by default," says Microsoft. "To do this, we're testing a new set of default settings designed to reduce unexpected alerts and visual interruptions."
As part of this update, Microsoft is also planning to disable the automatic opening of the widgets panel when users hover over its taskbar icon. This change is intended to further minimize interruptions and streamline the user experience.
The adjustments reflect Microsoft's ongoing efforts to refine the Windows 11 interface, prioritizing usability and reducing unnecessary distractions for users.