Windows

New announcements about the launch of third-party widgets in Windows 11

Microsoft is preparing for the latest reports that Windows 11 users will soon be able to install third-party widgets from the Windows Store. This option was already announced when the new operating system was presented, and now it is finally going to start.

The first indications were discovered that Microsoft is now preparing to launch third-party widgets. It’s still unclear when exactly it will launch – but since Microsoft is now listing third-party widgets in the manifest, such as Twitter user FireCube, it shouldn’t be too long.

According to the new insights, Microsoft is preparing to allow third-party app developers to create and distribute custom widgets for Windows 11 through the Microsoft Store. In January, FireCube Studios had already made a discovery regarding widgets (we reported). At the time, it was said that the release could come as part of the “Sun Valley 2” update scheduled for late summer.

What are third-party widgets?

The third-party widgets should find a place where Microsoft has reintroduced the general widget area with Windows 11. So far, though, you can only display widgets that go back to Microsoft’s own applications or services. The next major Windows 11 update will also allow third-party providers to display summary information from their app offerings via widgets.

This can include messages from WhatsApp, stock alerts, weather information from other services, calendar apps, and much more. Support for third-party widgets is expected to start in the upcoming Windows 11 “Sun Valley 2” update (Windows 11 22H2) feature upgrade.