14 DAY TRIAL // The widget support is one of the main highlights of Windows 11, as Microsoft has introduced this experience more or less as an evolved version of the News and interests feature.
The company, however, wants to further improve the experience with widgets, and one of the features that are currently under development is support for third-party downloads.
In other words, Microsoft wants to let users download and install third-party widgets from the Microsoft Store, and it goes without saying this would add a completely new dimension to this feature.
Twitter user FireCube has received discovered more evidence of this feature, revealing that widgets would soon be available for download from the Microsoft Store, with updates to also be published automatically for users.
Widgets in Windows 11
At this point, the existing implementation of widgets in Windows only supports Microsoft software, and this obviously kind of limits the purpose of the feature in the first place.
“Windows 11 brings you closer to the news and information you care about faster with Widgets – a new personalized feed powered by AI and best-in-class browser performance from Microsoft Edge. Even when we’re at our most focused and creative we still need breaks – a moment to check in with the outside world or give ourselves a mental reset,” Microsoft said when it announced widgets.
The company also suggested that third-party support might be coming.
“Today, we often pick up our phones to check the news, weather or notifications. Now, you can open a similarly curated view directly from your desktop. When you open your personalized feed it slides across your screen like a sheet of glass so it doesn’t disrupt what you’re doing. For creators and publishers, Widgets also opens new real estate within Windows to deliver personalized content. Our aspiration is to create a vibrant pipeline for global brands and local creators alike, in a way that both consumers and creators can benefit,” it said.
At this point, there’s still no ETA as to when this feature could go live for production devices.