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How do I gracefully prevent Widgets.exe from starting automatically on my Windows 11?

By "gracefully", I mean I don't like deleting it or messing with the filesystem security.

It's already turned off in my Task bar settings:

enter image description here

I've tried Autoruns but Widgets isn't listed in any of the typical autoruns locations.

It isn't a big deal, but I don't like the fact that a heavy WebView2-based app is setting there in the memory and doing nothing useful to me as a user:

enter image description here

Moab
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noseratio
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    Did you check `services.msc` and see if it can be disabled there? – Nelson Oct 27 '21 at 02:12
  • @Nelson, I checked and there's nothing there matching `widgets`. I would have spotted it with Autoruns, it also has `Services` tab. – noseratio Oct 27 '21 at 03:14
  • Open Task Manager and go to the Startup Tab, right click on Widgets.exe and select disable. Then reboot. If it does not show in task manager use Autoruns software to disable it from starting>>>>https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns – Moab Oct 27 '21 at 08:42
  • @Moab, thanks but sadly it is not there in Task Manager. I did mention Autoruns in the question. – noseratio Oct 27 '21 at 09:13
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    See if anything here helps>>>https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2021/07/15/disable-widgets-on-windows-11/ – Moab Oct 27 '21 at 16:46
  • @Moab, I already have `TaskbarDa` set to `0` at `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced`. That's what the Toolbar setting on the pic in my question does. – noseratio Oct 29 '21 at 00:41
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    Try in `gpedit.msc` > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets, to set "Allow widgets" to Disabled, then reboot. If you don't see the "Widgets" section, this [link](https://www.pdq.com/blog/how-to-remove-widgets-in-windows-11/) tells how to install it. – harrymc Oct 29 '21 at 10:11

1 Answers1

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I have the answer! Very simple in fact when you know. run PowerShell as administrator and winget uninstall "windows web experience pack". And voilà!

If you want to reinstall it for some x or y reason. You can install it again from the Microsoft Store https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-web-experience-pack/9mssgkg348sp

Now enjoy your extra RAM and off fans!

Brouilles
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