Lorene Melone
How to Efficiently Remove the Weather Icon from the Windows 11 Taskbar Using Microsoft Intune
Removing the weather icon from the Windows 11 taskbar can streamline your workspace and enhance your user experience. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of creating a policy in Microsoft Intune to achieve this quickly and efficiently. By following these instructions, you will gain a better understanding of managing Windows devices and utilizing Intune for policy creation.
Before you start, ensure you have the following prerequisites:
- Access to a Microsoft 365 account with administrative privileges.
- Familiarity with the Microsoft Intune Admin Center.
- A group of Windows devices that you want to target with this policy.
Step 1: Log into Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Begin by navigating to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Use your administrator credentials to log in. This central hub allows you to manage your organization’s settings, users, and devices.
Step 2: Access Microsoft Intune Admin Center
Once logged in, locate the menu on the left-hand side of the screen. Click on Show All to expand the menu options. Scroll down to find Microsoft Intune and click on it to access the Intune Admin Center.
Step 3: Navigate to the Devices Overview
In the Intune Admin Center, look for the Devices section on the left sidebar. Click on Devices to view an overview of all devices managed under your account.
Step 4: Focus on Windows Devices
Under the Devices overview, you’ll see a list of platforms. Click on Windows to filter the devices and focus on those running Windows OS.
Step 5: Configuration Settings
With Windows devices selected, navigate to the Configuration section. Click on Create to initiate the process of creating a new device policy.
Step 6: Create New Windows Device Policy
In the dropdown menu that appears, select New policy. This will allow you to define the settings for the new policy aimed at removing the weather icon.
Step 7: Configure the New Policy
For the platform, select Windows 10 and later from the dropdown options. Then, for the policy type, choose Settings Catalog and proceed by clicking on the Create button at the bottom.
Step 8: Name Your Policy
Give your policy a relevant name; for example, btnd_remove_weather_icon_for_taskbar. You can also add a description if desired, although it is optional. After naming it, click on the Next button.
Step 9: Add Configuration Settings
Under the configuration settings, look for the option labeled Add Settings. Click on this hyperlink, which will open a side menu for searching settings.
Step 10: Search for Widgets
In the search bar, type widgets and press Enter. This will return the widgets option. Click on it to proceed.
Step 11: Adjust Widget Settings
Once you have selected the widgets option, you will see the setting to Allow Widgets. By default, this setting is enabled. Change this to Not allowed to prevent the weather icon from appearing on the taskbar. Click on the Next button to continue.
Step 12: Assign the Policy to Groups
You’ll now need to assign this policy to a specific group of devices. Click on Add to select your desired group, and then click on Select to confirm your choice.
Step 13: Review and Create the Policy
After selecting the group, click on the Next button until you reach the review page. Here, ensure all settings are correct, and finally, click on Create to finalize the policy.
Step 14: Monitor Policy Deployment
Once the policy is created, it may take some time to propagate to the targeted devices. You can refresh the page to see the new policy listed. Users may need to log off and log back on or restart their machines for changes to take effect.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Be aware of the following:
- Ensure you have the correct permissions to create and assign policies in Intune.
- Double-check the group assignments to avoid misconfiguration.
- If the icon does not disappear immediately, give it some time for the policy to take effect.
By following these steps, you should successfully remove the weather icon from the Windows 11 taskbar using Microsoft Intune. This not only helps in decluttering the taskbar but also enhances the overall user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revert this change later?
Yes, you can modify the policy in Intune to allow widgets again if you wish to restore the weather icon.
What if I cannot find the settings options?
Ensure you have the right permissions and that you are in the correct section within the Intune Admin Center.
Is this policy applicable to all Windows versions?
This specific policy is aimed at devices running Windows 10 and later, including Windows 11.