Windows 11 can show the current temperature and conditions right on your taskbar, so you can check the weather at a glance without opening a browser or app. The weather display is part of the Widgets feature. If it’s missing, Widgets is probably turned off, or your Windows 11 version shows a different icon. Turning it on takes a few clicks.
How to Add Weather to the Windows 11 Taskbar
Step 1: Open taskbar settings
Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings. You can also open Settings (Windows + I) and go to Personalization > Taskbar.
Step 2: Turn on Widgets
Under Taskbar items, switch Widgets to On.
Step 3: Look at the taskbar
The weather appears on the taskbar, showing the temperature and an icon for current conditions. On current versions of Windows 11, it usually appears in the bottom-left corner when your taskbar icons are centered. On some older builds, you may see only a Widgets icon instead of the temperature; updating Windows typically adds the weather display.
Step 4: Open the Widgets board
Hover over or click the weather to open the Widgets board, which shows a larger forecast along with other widgets. You can also press Windows + W.
How to Change the Weather Location and Units
- Open the Widgets board.
- Find the Weather widget. If it isn’t there, click the + (Add widgets) button and add Weather.
- Click the three-dot menu on the Weather widget and choose Customize widget (or similar).
- Enter your city or choose to detect your location automatically, and pick Fahrenheit or Celsius.
- Save. The taskbar weather updates to match.
If you let Windows detect your location, make sure location services are on in Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
What If the Weather Doesn’t Appear?
- Update Windows. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install available updates. The taskbar weather display arrived in an update to Windows 11.
- Check taskbar alignment. Go to Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. With left alignment, the widget may show as an icon among your pinned apps rather than in the corner.
- Check the widget settings. Open the Widgets board, click the settings icon, and look for options related to showing weather or feed content on the taskbar. Names vary by version.
- Sign in if prompted. Some versions ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account for full Widgets features.
- Work or school PCs. Your administrator may have disabled Widgets through policy.
- Restart Windows Explorer. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.
Stop the Widgets Board from Opening on Hover
Many people like the weather on the taskbar but don’t like the Widgets board popping up when the mouse passes over it. In the Widgets board, open its settings (the gear icon) and turn off the option to open the board on hover, if your version has it. Then the board opens only when you click.
Other Ways to See the Weather
- Weather app: The Microsoft Weather app gives detailed forecasts, radar maps, and hourly views. Search for “Weather” in the Start menu.
- Lock screen: Go to Personalization > Lock screen and choose Weather (or “Weather and more”) under lock screen status to see the weather before you sign in.
- Desktop widgets: See how to add widgets to the desktop in Windows 11.
Tips for Using the Taskbar Weather
- Watch for alerts. The taskbar icon can change to show severe weather alerts or notable conditions, which makes it useful as a quick warning.
- Add more cities. Pin a second Weather widget in the Widgets board for another location, such as where family lives or where you’re traveling.
- Keep the board tidy. Remove widgets you don’t use from the board so the weather is easy to find.
- Use keyboard access. Windows + W opens the board without touching the mouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I show only the weather without the news feed?
The taskbar shows just the weather. The news feed appears only when you open the Widgets board, and recent versions let you reduce or turn off feed content in Widgets settings.
Does the weather widget use much data or battery?
It refreshes periodically but uses very little data. If you want to reduce background activity, you can turn Widgets off.
How do I remove the weather again?
Turn Widgets off in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
Summary
To add weather to the Windows 11 taskbar, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turn on Widgets. The temperature appears on the taskbar, and you can change your location and units in the Weather widget on the Widgets board. If it doesn’t show up, update Windows and check your widget settings.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.