Since their introduction in Windows XP, desktop widgets haven't really changed across the different versions of the OS.
Windows 10 changes the game, bringing a streamlined
Calendar & Clock functionality, as well as a redesigned
Volume bar and
Power Saver & Battery widgets.
These new features are great, but if you are still keen on using classic desktop widgets, here's a short tutorial on how to restore them.
How To Restore Classic Widgets in Windows 10
The first step is to open your
Search box and type in
regedit
>
Enter. This will open your
Registry Editor, allowing you to customize your individual settings.
Enable the Classic Calendar & Clock
Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell.
Click on
Edit >
New >
Dword (32-bit) value and rename it to
UseWin32TrayClockExperience.
Set the value of
UseWin32TrayClockExperience to
1 to restore the classic Calendar & Clock.
Set the value of
UseWin32TrayClockExperience to
0 to enable Windows 10's default Calendar & Clock widget.
Click on
OK and close the
Registry Editor to apply your new settings (no restart required):
Enable the Classic Power Saver & Battery menu
Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell.
Click on
Edit >
New >
Dword (32-bit) value and rename it to
UseWin32BatteryFlyout.
Set the value of
UseWin32BatteryFlyout to
1 to restore the classic Power Saver & Battery menu.
Set the value of
UseWin32BatteryFlyout to
0 to enable Windows 10's new Power Saver & Battery menu.
Click on
OK and close the
Registry Editor to apply your new settings (no restart required):
Enable the Classic Volume Bar
Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion.
Right-click on
CurrentVersion >
New >
Key. Rename the new key to
MTCUVC.
Select
MTCUVC, click on
Edit >
New >
Dword (32-bit) value and rename it to
EnableMtcUvc. Leave its value to
0 to restore the classic volume bar.
Click on
OK and close the
Registry Editor to apply your new settings (no restart required):
You can restore Windows 10's default volume bar by deleting the
EnableMtcUvc key in the
Registry.
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