How to Remove Breaking News Feed in Windows 11

The News feed in Windows 11 is designed to keep you updated with the latest headlines, weather reports, sports scores, entertainment stories, and other trending topics. While some people enjoy having quick access to current events, others find the feature distracting. Constant news updates can make the desktop feel cluttered, interrupt your workflow, or display stories that simply are not relevant to your interests.

Fortunately, Windows 11 gives you several ways to reduce or remove these news updates. Whether you want to hide the news feed completely, disable Widgets, stop lock screen updates, or simply personalize the content you see, there is a solution that matches your preference.

In this guide, you’ll learn every method to remove the News feed in Windows 11.

What Is the News Feed in Windows 11?

The News feed is part of Microsoft’s content delivery system that appears through the Widgets panel and, in some cases, on the Lock Screen. It provides real-time updates by pulling information from Microsoft Start, which gathers articles from numerous publishers across different categories.

Depending on your settings, the news feed may display headlines related to politics, business, technology, sports, finance, weather, entertainment, health, and local events. Microsoft also personalizes these recommendations based on your interests, browsing habits, and account preferences.

The feature is intended to make information more accessible without requiring you to open a browser. You can view headlines directly from your desktop and click any story to read the full article online.

Although convenient for some users, the Breaking News feed is not essential for using Windows 11. Many people prefer a cleaner desktop without constant notifications or personalized news recommendations.

Why Do Users Want to Remove the Breaking News Feed?

There are several reasons why Windows 11 users choose to disable or hide the Breaking News feed.

One of the biggest reasons is distraction. News headlines constantly change throughout the day, making it easy to lose focus while working, studying, or attending online meetings.

Another common concern is privacy. Since Microsoft personalizes the content you see, some users prefer limiting personalized recommendations and reducing unnecessary data collection.

Many users also feel that the news feed displays stories that are unrelated to their interests. Even after selecting preferred topics, some headlines may continue appearing because Microsoft continuously updates recommendations.

Some people simply enjoy having a cleaner desktop. Removing unnecessary content creates a more organized workspace and makes Windows feel less cluttered.

Laptop users occasionally disable the feature in hopes of reducing background activity. Although the performance improvement is usually small, turning off features you do not use can help simplify your Windows experience.

Can You Completely Remove the Breaking News Feed in Windows 11?

The answer depends on where the news is appearing.

If the news is displayed inside the Widgets panel, you can disable the entire Widgets feature, which prevents the feed from appearing on your taskbar.

If you still want to use Widgets for weather or calendar updates, you can personalize the content and reduce unwanted news instead of removing the entire feature.

News displayed on the Lock Screen can also be turned off through Windows personalization settings.

It is important to understand that Windows 11 does not always provide a single switch that permanently removes every news-related feature. Microsoft occasionally changes how Widgets and Microsoft Start work through Windows updates. Because of this, some settings may move to different menus over time.

The good news is that the methods covered in this guide work for most current versions of Windows 11 and require very little technical knowledge.

Method 1: Turn Off the Widgets Feature

Disabling Widgets is the quickest and easiest way to stop the Breaking News feed from appearing on your desktop. Once disabled, the Widgets button disappears from the taskbar, and the news feed is no longer available unless you enable it again.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

Click the Start button and select Settings. You can also press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app instantly.

The Settings window contains all the personalization and system options needed for this process.

Step 2: Open the Personalization Section

From the menu on the left side of the Settings window, click Personalization.

This section allows you to customize different parts of Windows, including the desktop background, themes, colors, taskbar, fonts, and lock screen.

Step 3: Open Taskbar Settings

Scroll through the available options and click Taskbar.

Here, Windows displays several taskbar features that can be turned on or off individually.

Locate the Widgets option.

Step 4: Turn Off Widgets

Click the toggle next to Widgets so that it changes to the Off position.

As soon as you disable it, the Widgets icon disappears from the taskbar, preventing accidental access to the Breaking News feed.

If you decide to use Widgets again in the future, simply return to the same settings page and turn the feature back on.

For most users, this is the simplest and most effective way to remove Breaking News from everyday use.

Method 2: Disable the News Feed Inside the Widgets Panel

If you enjoy using Widgets for weather updates, your calendar, or traffic information, you may not want to disable the entire feature. Instead, Windows allows you to customize the content shown inside the Widgets panel.

Depending on your Windows 11 version, the available customization options may vary slightly.

Step 1: Open the Widgets Panel

Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar or press Windows + W.

The Widgets panel opens, displaying personalized cards along with news stories recommended by Microsoft Start.

Take a moment to review the content currently displayed. This will help you identify which sections you want to remove or customize.

Step 2: Access Widget Settings

Look for your profile picture or the Settings option near the top of the Widgets panel.

Click it to open the available customization settings.

Microsoft occasionally updates this interface, so the exact location of certain options may differ depending on your Windows version.

Step 3: Turn Off the News Feed if the Option Is Available

Some Windows 11 releases include options that allow you to reduce or disable the news feed while keeping useful widgets.

If this setting appears on your computer, switch it off and save your changes.

If you do not see this option, do not worry. Microsoft has changed the Widgets experience several times, and newer versions may rely more heavily on personalization rather than a complete news toggle.

Step 4: Customize Your Widgets Experience

If removing the feed entirely is not possible, you can still make the Widgets panel much more useful by adjusting the displayed content.

Remove widgets that you rarely use and keep only those that provide valuable information, such as weather forecasts, calendar appointments, traffic updates, or your to-do list.

You can also personalize your interests, so Microsoft shows fewer irrelevant stories over time. Although this does not eliminate the Breaking News feed, it significantly reduces the number of articles that do not match your preferences.

Another helpful approach is to avoid opening the Widgets panel unless you need specific information. Since the feature remains hidden until opened, many users find this to be a practical compromise between convenience and minimizing distractions.

Method 3: Personalize or Hide Unwanted News Stories

If you want to continue using Widgets but no longer want to see certain headlines, Windows 11 lets you personalize your news feed. This method is ideal for users who still appreciate quick access to weather, traffic, or calendar information but prefer more relevant news content.

Step 1: Open the Widgets Panel

Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar or press Windows + W to open the Widgets panel.

Scroll through the news stories until you find an article that you no longer want to see.

Step 2: Open Story Options

Select the More Options menu for the news story. This menu usually appears as three dots in the corner of the article.

Windows displays several personalization choices that help improve your future recommendations.

Step 3: Hide the Story or Publisher

Choose the option to hide the current story if it does not interest you.

If articles from the same source appear frequently and you do not want to see them anymore, select the option to hide that publisher. Windows will gradually reduce similar content from that news source.

Step 4: Manage Your Interests

You can also update your interests by selecting topics that matter most to you. For example, if you enjoy technology, finance, or sports, Windows can prioritize those categories while showing fewer unrelated articles.

Keep in mind that personalization is not immediate. Microsoft may require some time to learn your preferences before noticeable changes appear in your news feed.

Method 4: Remove Breaking News from the Windows Lock Screen

Some Windows 11 devices display news, weather updates, or other information directly on the Lock Screen. If you prefer a cleaner appearance before signing in, you can change these settings in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Open Settings

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

You can also open the Start menu and select Settings manually.

Step 2: Go to Personalization

From the navigation pane, click Personalization.

This section contains all the appearance-related settings for Windows 11, including themes, colors, fonts, and the Lock Screen.

Step 3: Open Lock Screen Settings

Select Lock Screen from the available options.

Here, Windows allows you to customize what appears before you sign in.

Step 4: Disable News and Other Content

Depending on your Windows version, you may see options related to Weather, Widgets, or lock screen updates.

Turn off any settings that display news, weather highlights, or other Microsoft content.

You can also choose a simpler Lock Screen experience that shows only your preferred background image without additional information.

After making these changes, lock your computer to confirm that unwanted news updates no longer appear.

Method 5: Disable News Notifications

Even after hiding the news feed, you may still receive notifications about breaking stories or trending events. Disabling these alerts creates a quieter Windows experience.

Open Settings and select System, followed by Notifications.

Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for Widgets, Microsoft Start, or other Microsoft apps that display news alerts.

Turn off notifications for the apps you no longer want sending updates.

If news articles continue opening in Microsoft Edge, review the browser’s notification permissions as well. Open Edge settings, navigate to notification permissions, and remove websites that are allowed to send news alerts.

This change helps reduce interruptions while you work, study, or browse the web.

Method 6: Disable Widgets Using Group Policy

This method is intended for computers running Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions. It gives administrators more control over Windows features and is useful if you want to prevent Widgets from being enabled.

Step 1: Open the Local Group Policy Editor

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

The Local Group Policy Editor window will appear.

Step 2: Navigate to the Widgets Policy

In the left pane, browse through the available policy folders until you locate the policy that manages Widgets.

The exact location may vary slightly depending on your Windows version, but it is generally found under Windows component-related administrative policies.

Step 3: Disable Widgets

Open the Widgets policy by double-clicking it.

Select Disabled, then click Apply, followed by OK to save the changes.

This policy prevents Widgets from appearing for users on the computer.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

Restart Windows or sign out of your account and sign back in.

Once Windows loads again, confirm that the Widgets feature and Breaking News feed are no longer available.

If your organization manages your computer, some Group Policy settings may already be controlled by your IT administrator.

Method 7: Disable Widgets Using Registry Editor

For users running Windows 11 Home, or anyone who prefers advanced system configuration, the Registry Editor provides another way to disable Widgets.

Because the Windows Registry contains important system settings, it is recommended that you proceed carefully.

Step 1: Create a Registry Backup

Before making any changes, open Registry Editor and create a backup of the registry.

Having a backup allows you to restore your previous settings if something does not work as expected.

Step 2: Open Registry Editor

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

If prompted by User Account Control, choose Yes to continue.

Step 3: Navigate to the Appropriate Registry Key

Browse to the registry location responsible for Windows Widgets.

Take your time and verify that you are editing the correct registry path before changing any values.

Step 4: Modify the Required Registry Value

Locate the value associated with enabling Widgets.

Change the value so that Widgets are disabled.

Be careful not to modify unrelated registry entries, as doing so could affect other Windows features.

Step 5: Restart Windows Explorer or Restart Your PC

After saving your changes, restart Windows Explorer through Task Manager, or simply restart your computer.

When Windows starts again, verify that the Widgets feature has been disabled successfully.

If the change does not take effect immediately, make sure the registry value was entered correctly and confirm that no organization policies are overriding your settings.

How to Customize the Widgets Experience Instead of Removing It

Not everyone wants to disable Widgets completely. If you regularly check the weather, your calendar, or traffic updates, you can customize the experience so it becomes more useful and less distracting.

Open the Widgets panel and review the available cards. Remove widgets that you rarely use and keep only those that provide information that matters to you. A cleaner Widgets panel makes it easier to find useful information without scrolling through numerous news articles.

You can also update your interests through Microsoft Start. Selecting topics that match your hobbies or professional interests helps Windows recommend more relevant content. Likewise, removing topics that no longer interest you gradually changes the types of stories that appear.

Remember that personalization takes time. The recommendations improve as Microsoft learns your preferences, so you may continue seeing unrelated stories for a short period before the feed becomes more relevant.

How to Stop Microsoft Start News from Appearing

The Breaking News feed shown in Windows 11 is powered by Microsoft Start. This service collects articles from many publishers and displays personalized recommendations across Microsoft products.

If you sign in with a Microsoft account, your interests and reading history may be synchronized across supported devices and services. Adjusting your interests within Microsoft Start can reduce unwanted recommendations.

If you prefer not to receive personalized news, you can also avoid signing in to Microsoft Start where possible or limit how much you interact with suggested stories. While this may not eliminate every headline, it can reduce the amount of personalized content shown over time.

Keep in mind that Microsoft occasionally updates how Microsoft Start works, so some personalization options may move to different menus after future Windows updates.

Does Removing the Breaking News Feed Improve Performance?

Many users wonder whether disabling the Breaking News feed will make Windows 11 run faster.

For most computers, the performance improvement is relatively small. The news feed uses some RAM, processor resources, internet bandwidth, and background activity to refresh headlines and other content. However, modern computers generally handle these tasks without noticeable slowdowns.

If your computer has limited memory or older hardware, disabling Widgets and unnecessary notifications may slightly reduce background activity. You may also notice fewer network requests related to news updates.

Battery life can also improve slightly on laptops because Windows no longer checks for fresh content as often. Although the difference is usually modest, every reduction in background activity can contribute to a more efficient system.

Overall, most people disable the Breaking News feed for a cleaner and less distracting desktop rather than for major performance gains.

Will Removing the News Feed Affect Other Windows Features?

Turning off the Breaking News feed can affect a few related Windows features, depending on the method you choose.

If you disable the entire Widgets feature, you will no longer have quick access to weather updates, traffic information, sports scores, calendar widgets, or other cards available through the Widgets panel.

If you only personalize or hide unwanted news stories, the rest of the Widgets experience continues working normally.

Disabling Lock Screen updates affects only the information displayed before you sign in. It does not change your desktop background, installed applications, or Windows settings.

Similarly, turning off notifications only prevents alerts from appearing. It does not remove the apps or services responsible for displaying news.

Understanding the difference between these methods helps you choose the option that best fits your daily workflow.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Widgets Keep Reappearing After a Windows Update

Major Windows updates occasionally restore certain default settings. If Widgets return after an update, revisit the Taskbar settings and disable the feature again.

News Feed Still Appears After Disabling Widgets

Make sure the news is not coming from the Lock Screen, Microsoft Edge, or notification settings. Several Microsoft features can display news independently of the Widgets panel.

The Widgets Option Is Missing

Some workplace or school-managed computers have policies that prevent users from changing Widget settings. In these situations, you may need to contact your system administrator.

If you recently installed a Windows update, Microsoft may also have changed the location of certain settings.

Lock Screen Still Displays News

Double-check your Lock Screen settings and verify that weather updates and other informational content have been disabled.

Restart your computer after making changes to ensure the new settings are applied correctly.

Registry Changes Are Not Working

Carefully review the registry value you modified and confirm that it was saved correctly.

Restart your computer after editing the registry. If the setting still does not work, another Windows policy or update may be overriding the registry value.

Group Policy Settings Do Not Apply

If you are using a company or school computer, organizational policies may take priority over your local settings.

Signing out and back into Windows or restarting your computer may also help apply newly configured policies.

Tips to Keep Windows 11 Free from Unwanted News

Review your notification settings regularly and disable alerts that are no longer useful. This helps prevent unnecessary interruptions throughout the day.

Keep your Taskbar organized by disabling features that you rarely use. A simpler taskbar often improves productivity because important applications are easier to find.

Check your Lock Screen settings occasionally, especially after installing major Windows updates. Some personalization options may change when new features are introduced.

Spend a few minutes reviewing your Widgets preferences every so often. Removing unwanted cards and updating your interests helps keep the experience relevant if you choose to continue using the feature.

Finally, keep Windows 11 updated. New updates often include improvements to personalization settings, bug fixes, and additional options that give you more control over what appears on your desktop.

FAQs

Can I completely remove the Breaking News feed in Windows 11?

You can disable Widgets, turn off Lock Screen updates, and stop related notifications. While these methods remove the feed from normal use, Microsoft may continue updating how news is integrated into Windows through future releases.

Why does Windows keep showing news after I disable Widgets?

The news may be coming from another source, such as the Lock Screen, Microsoft Start, browser notifications, or another Microsoft application.

Can I remove only the news while keeping the Weather widget?

Depending on your Windows 11 version, you may be able to personalize the Widgets experience and reduce news content while keeping useful widgets like Weather. Available options vary between updates.

Is the Breaking News feed safe?

Yes. The news feed itself is a legitimate Windows feature provided through Microsoft services. However, you should always verify information by reading trusted news sources before relying on any article.

Does disabling Widgets improve Windows performance?

Most users notice only a small improvement. The primary benefit is a cleaner desktop with fewer distractions and less background activity.

Will Windows updates enable the news feed again?

Some major Windows updates may restore default settings. If this happens, simply review your personalization and taskbar settings and disable the feature again if necessary.

Can I disable the Breaking News feed without editing the Registry?

Yes. Most users can disable the feature directly through Settings without making any advanced system changes.

Does Windows Home support Group Policy?

No. The Local Group Policy Editor is generally available only in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Can I restore the Breaking News feed later?

Yes. If you change your mind, you can re-enable Widgets, restore notification settings, or reverse any personalization changes through Windows Settings.