News And Interests On Windows 10 Taskbar: A Quick Guide

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 56 views

Hey guys! Ever noticed that little weather icon chilling on your Windows 10 taskbar? That's the News and Interests feature, and it's like having a mini news feed right at your fingertips. Let's dive into what it is, how to use it, and how to customize it to your liking. This feature, while simple, can be a real game-changer for staying updated without having to constantly browse different websites or open numerous apps. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know, from enabling it to tweaking the settings to match your preferences. So, whether you're a news junkie or just want to keep an eye on the weather, this feature is definitely worth exploring.

What is News and Interests?

News and Interests is a Windows 10 feature that displays a dynamically updated feed of news, weather, sports scores, and more directly on your taskbar. It's designed to provide you with quick access to information you care about without needing to open a separate app or browser window. Think of it as your personal dashboard, delivering relevant information right where you need it. This feature uses the Microsoft News service to gather information from various sources, tailoring the content based on your interests and location. It’s designed to be unobtrusive, sitting quietly in your taskbar until you need it. With just a glance, you can see the current weather conditions, breaking news headlines, or the latest scores from your favorite sports teams. It's all about convenience and staying informed without disrupting your workflow. Plus, it’s customizable, so you can fine-tune the content to match your personal preferences. This means you can filter out topics you're not interested in and focus on the news and information that matters most to you. The aim is to provide a seamless and personalized experience that keeps you connected to the world around you, all from the comfort of your Windows 10 desktop. The News and Interests feature is more than just a simple widget; it's a gateway to a wealth of information, curated to suit your individual needs and interests.

How to Enable News and Interests

Turning on News and Interests is super easy. Here’s how you do it:

Right-click on an empty space on your taskbar.
Hover over "News and Interests".
Select "Show icon and text" (or "Show icon only" if you prefer a cleaner look).

Boom! You should now see the weather icon and a snippet of news on your taskbar. If you only want the icon to appear and save space, choosing "Show icon only" is the way to go. This gives you a visual cue without taking up too much real estate on your taskbar. Alternatively, if you want more information at a glance, selecting "Show icon and text" will display the weather and a brief news headline. This can be particularly useful if you want to stay informed without having to click on the icon. Once enabled, the News and Interests feed will start updating automatically, providing you with the latest information. You can always change the settings later if you decide you want a different view or want to disable the feature altogether. Enabling News and Interests is a simple process, but it can significantly enhance your Windows 10 experience by keeping you informed and up-to-date with minimal effort. Remember, you need to be connected to the internet for the content to update properly. So, make sure your connection is stable to get the most out of this feature.

Customizing Your News Feed

Okay, so you've got News and Interests up and running. Now let's make it your news feed. Click on the icon on your taskbar to open the full feed. From here, you can customize what you see.

Manage Interests: At the top right, you'll see a "Manage interests" button. Click it, and it'll open a page in your browser where you can select topics you're interested in. This is where you tell Microsoft what kind of news you want to see. The more specific you are, the better the feed will be. You can choose from a wide range of categories, including news, sports, entertainment, and more. By fine-tuning your interests, you ensure that the content you see is relevant and engaging. This helps to cut through the noise and focus on the information that matters most to you. The customization options are extensive, allowing you to delve into specific subtopics and tailor the feed to your exact preferences. Regularly updating your interests will also help the algorithm learn what you like, further improving the accuracy of the news and information displayed. So, take some time to explore the different categories and personalize your news feed to create a truly unique and informative experience. Remember, the goal is to make News and Interests a valuable tool that keeps you connected to the topics you care about most.
Give Feedback: As you scroll through the feed, you'll see options to like or dislike certain stories. This feedback helps Microsoft refine the feed and show you more of what you want. Don't be shy about clicking those thumbs up or thumbs down! Providing feedback is a crucial part of the customization process. By actively rating the stories you see, you're helping Microsoft understand your preferences and improve the relevance of the content. This not only enhances your own experience but also contributes to the overall quality of the news feed for other users. The more feedback you provide, the more tailored and accurate the feed becomes. So, make it a habit to like or dislike stories as you browse. This simple action can make a big difference in the quality and relevance of the news and information you receive. Remember, your feedback is valuable and helps shape the future of News and Interests.
Sources: You can also manage the news sources. If you don't like a particular source, you can hide it from your feed. This gives you even more control over the information you see. Managing your news sources is an essential step in creating a personalized and trustworthy news feed. By hiding sources you don't trust or find irrelevant, you can ensure that the information you receive is reliable and aligned with your values. This helps to filter out biased or inaccurate news, allowing you to focus on credible and objective reporting. The ability to manage sources puts you in control of your news consumption, empowering you to make informed decisions about the information you access. So, take the time to review your news sources and customize them to your liking. This will help you create a news feed that is both informative and trustworthy.

Managing Performance and Data Usage

News and Interests updates frequently, which can use up data and resources. If you're on a limited data plan or notice performance issues, here’s what you can do:

Update Frequency: Unfortunately, you can't directly control how often the feed updates. However, closing the feed when you're not using it can help reduce data usage. Keeping the News and Interests feed open constantly can lead to unnecessary data consumption, especially if you're on a metered internet connection. By closing the feed when you're not actively using it, you can minimize data usage and prevent potential overage charges. This simple habit can make a significant difference in your overall data consumption, particularly if you're a heavy internet user. Additionally, closing the feed can also help improve your system's performance by freeing up resources that would otherwise be used to update the news and information. So, remember to close the News and Interests feed when you're done with it to optimize data usage and system performance.
Data Usage: Be mindful of your data usage, especially if you're on a mobile hotspot. The feed can consume a significant amount of data over time, so keep an eye on your usage. Monitoring your data usage is crucial, especially if you frequently use mobile hotspots or have a limited data plan. The News and Interests feed can consume a substantial amount of data, particularly if you're browsing through articles and watching videos. By keeping an eye on your data usage, you can avoid unexpected charges and ensure that you stay within your data limits. There are various tools and apps available that can help you track your data usage and identify which applications are consuming the most data. Utilizing these tools can help you manage your data effectively and prevent overage charges. So, be mindful of your data usage and take steps to monitor and control it to avoid any surprises.
Performance: If you experience performance issues, try disabling News and Interests to see if it helps. If it does, you might need to upgrade your hardware or close other applications to free up resources. If you notice a slowdown in your computer's performance, disabling the News and Interests feature can help you determine if it's the cause. By temporarily disabling the feature, you can assess whether it's impacting your system's resources and causing the performance issues. If disabling News and Interests improves your computer's performance, you may need to consider upgrading your hardware or closing other resource-intensive applications. This can help free up memory and processing power, allowing your system to run more smoothly. Alternatively, you can try adjusting the settings of other applications to reduce their resource consumption. So, if you're experiencing performance issues, disabling News and Interests is a simple troubleshooting step that can help you identify the cause and find a solution.

Removing News and Interests

If you decide you don't want News and Interests anymore, here’s how to get rid of it:

Right-click on an empty space on your taskbar.
Hover over "News and Interests".
Select "Turn off".

Poof! It's gone. If you ever want it back, just follow the steps in the "How to Enable News and Interests" section. Disabling News and Interests is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few clicks. If you find that the feature is not useful to you or is causing performance issues, removing it from your taskbar can help streamline your Windows 10 experience. You can always re-enable the feature later if you change your mind. The ability to easily remove and re-enable News and Interests provides you with the flexibility to customize your taskbar to suit your needs and preferences. So, if you're not finding the feature beneficial, don't hesitate to remove it and reclaim that space on your taskbar.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, News and Interests might act up. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

Not Updating: Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If the feed isn't updating, try restarting your computer. A stable internet connection is essential for the News and Interests feature to function properly. If the feed is not updating, the first thing you should check is your internet connection. Ensure that you are connected to a reliable network and that your internet is working correctly. If your internet connection is stable, try restarting your computer. This can often resolve minor software glitches and allow the feed to update properly. Additionally, you can try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, as this can sometimes interfere with the feed's ability to update. So, if you're experiencing issues with the feed not updating, start by checking your internet connection and restarting your computer.
Blank Feed: This can happen if there's an issue with the Microsoft News service. Usually, it resolves itself after a while. Just be patient. A blank feed can be frustrating, but it's often a temporary issue that resolves itself. If you encounter a blank feed, the first thing you should do is be patient and wait for a while. The issue may be due to a temporary problem with the Microsoft News service, which is responsible for providing the content for the feed. In most cases, the feed will start updating again on its own after a short period of time. However, if the issue persists, you can try restarting your computer or checking your internet connection. So, if you see a blank feed, don't panic; just wait for a while and see if it resolves itself.
Incorrect Location: Make sure your location settings are correct in Windows. This ensures you get accurate weather and local news. Accurate location settings are crucial for the News and Interests feature to provide you with relevant weather and local news. If your location settings are incorrect, you may see weather information for the wrong city or news stories that are not relevant to your area. To ensure that your location settings are correct, go to the Windows Settings app and navigate to Privacy > Location. From there, make sure that location services are enabled and that the correct location is set. You can also allow apps to access your location, which will enable the News and Interests feature to automatically detect your location and provide you with accurate information. So, to get the most out of the News and Interests feature, make sure your location settings are accurate and up-to-date.

Is News and Interests Right for You?

News and Interests is a handy feature if you want to stay informed without constantly checking news sites. It’s customizable, so you can tailor it to your interests. However, it can use data and resources, so keep that in mind if you're on a limited plan or have an older computer. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if it fits your workflow. This feature can be a game-changer for staying updated without having to constantly browse different websites or open numerous apps. However, it's not for everyone. If you're concerned about data usage or system performance, you may want to disable the feature or limit its usage. On the other hand, if you value convenience and staying informed, News and Interests can be a valuable addition to your Windows 10 experience. So, weigh the pros and cons and decide if it's right for you.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! News and Interests on the Windows 10 taskbar can be a great way to stay informed. Give it a try and see if it works for you! And remember, you can always customize it or remove it if it doesn't fit your needs. Happy browsing!