Microsoft 's plans for third-party Widgets coming soon to Windows 11's Widgets feature have been leaked via a company developer.
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In June 2021, Microsoft released its new News and Interests to all supported versions of Windows 10. This feature opens a small panel from the Windows taskbar that displays various “Widgets” containing the latest news from your location, weather, stock prices, and traffic information.
With Windows 11, Microsoft turned the feature into a new app called “Widgets,” which also appears from the Windows taskbar.
While Microsoft is developing the current Widgets, it also mentioned that developers would be able to create their own widgets in the future. However, Microsoft had not shared details about how or when developers could submit them.
But now a developer document discovered by FireCubeStudiooffers more information on how to develop and publish third-party Widgets, indicating that the feature is likely to be released soon.
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According to the leaked screenshots, Microsoft will distribute third-party widgets through the Microsoft Store just like other third-party apps.
The leaked document explains that third-party Widgets will be created using “Adaptive Cards” that are platform-agnostic and built into the Widgets feature.
These cards include the following features:
- User interface snippets with platform-agnostic elements, designed for integration into host experiences, such as Widgets.
- Automatic configuration to match the Host's experience
- Low memory and CPU
- Anyone can build them
The document also mentions that developers will be able to create web Widgets, which are likely to be used in Microsoft Edge. Web Widgets are a new feature rolling out to Microsoft Edge that opens a small sidebar that can run even with the browser closed, displaying current news and weather.
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While the document doesn't reveal when this feature will be ready, it will likely be released as part of the Windows 11 22H2 or Sun Valley 2 feature update.
The Sun Valley 2 feature update is expected to be released in the summer.
