Advice Request How to disable Windows 10's News and Interests taskbar newsfeed

[Templarware]

Not available in Portuguese, like Apple news.

It's new, it will probably get more languages.

 

[show-Zi]

I do not know why Microsoft insists on releasing unwanted features that almost all users end up disabling. What a waste of resources.

My guess is that this is probably a signpost to the Edge, as it clicks on the news → opens the page at the Edge.
This may be my misunderstanding, as I only remember reading somewhere that the news and Edge are linked.

(Slimjet actually has a small built-in weather icon that displays the temp. and can be clicked to show a forecast based on the location entered. I haven't been able to figure out which company provides the service.)

I also use a slimjet, but there is no weather icon. I can't help it, so I open the window to check the weather.

 

[Freud2004]

My guess is that this is probably a signpost to the Edge, as it clicks on the news → opens the page at the Edge.
This may be my misunderstanding, as I only remember reading somewhere that the news and Edge are linked.


I also use a slimjet, but there is no weather icon. I can't help it, so I open the window to check the weather.

Who needs windows....

 

[The_King]

I do not know why Microsoft insists on releasing unwanted features that almost all users end up disabling. What a waste of resources.

I suspect the reason is that these features use the Bing search engine/services and is a way for MS to collect more data about their users
interests also get more people comfortable using their other services and not rely on Google for everything. There is a business
plan behind it all and its not a waste of resources for them.

I personally read a variety of news sites and have my own weather app installed. I would not call it useful for everyone
but others may like it.

 

[TairikuOkami]

The feature is actually good and I'm pretty sure average people will use it.

The problem is, that is force feed users predetermined news (it pretends, you can actually choose though), if people could customize it, like feedly, it would be a great feature.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I suspect the reason is that these features use the Bing search engine/services and is a way for MS to collect more data about their users
interests also get more people comfortable using their other services and not rely on Google for everything. There is a business
plan behind it all and its not a waste of resources for them.

I personally read a variety of news sites and have my own weather app installed. I would not call it useful for everyone
but others may like it.

Well, if Microsoft wants users to switch to Bing, then they need to revamp the service and offer a solution that surpasses Google in features.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

My guess is that this is probably a signpost to the Edge, as it clicks on the news → opens the page at the Edge.
This may be my misunderstanding, as I only remember reading somewhere that the news and Edge are linked.

You are probably right, but instead of forcing users or deceiving them into using a feature, Microsoft should focus on quality and users will surely start using such services.

 

[upnorth]

Nope, don't have this news feature. I still went curious and tested the news flow in Edge. I can't say how well created the news taskbar is, but personal I see little point using it when I can easy adapt and customize the news in Edge itself. It don't even hit me in the face as I have to start scroll on the mainpage.

 

[Cortex]

It lasted a few minutes on my Taskbar then I joyfully killed it - I can't think of any circumstance I would want it back ?

 

[Stopspying]

Don't even have that menu to begin with haha. Very strange but thank you nonetheless

May 25, 2021—KB5003214 (OS Builds 19041.1023, 19042.1023, and 19043.1023) Preview - Microsoft Support

support.microsoft.com

"Highlights

• News and interests on the taskbar is now available to anyone who installs this update! ..."
  

I have not installed this update, I don't want the News and Interest 'feature', so I don't know for sure if this works while Cortana is disabled or addresses any of the other queries mentioned in this thread.

This update might address another issue I've had over recent days - .flac files having their file information mangled - "..Microsoft has fixed a known Windows 10 issue that would lead to FLAC encoded music files becoming corrupted when changing their title, artist, or other metadata in File Explorer.

The bug impacts multiple Windows 10 editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations) and versions (version 2004 and version 20H2).

The issue can occur when editing the metadata of FLAC files containing an ID3 frame with title and artist info before the audio file's FLAC header..."

Microsoft fixes new Windows 10 bug corrupting FLAC music files

Microsoft has fixed a known Windows 10 issue that would lead to FLAC encoded music files becoming corrupted when changing their title, artist, or other metadata in File Explorer.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

I want this issue sorted, but not the News & Interests 'feature. I guess I'll have to install this update to prevent Windows destroying more of my music files, fortunately they are well backed up, and then remove this taskbar.

Simplicity and Microsoft seem to be unavailable in the same place at the same time, again.

Edit - I messed up the Bleeping Computer link, so I've edited it.

 

[upnorth]

Spoiler: KB5003214

I spoke too soon.

It is possible to customize, and obvious it's the exact same settings for Edge, in Edge.

 

[mlnevese]

Not available in Portuguese, like Apple news.

It is, at least in the insider builds...

 

[Moonhorse]

I just installed the kb wich it came from, removed from toolbar > removed weather, cortana etc junk. after windows install

 

[amirr]

I installed the Windows 10 KB5003214 Cumulative Update Preview, and then turned off the new Newsfeed via:

How to disable Windows 10's News and Interests taskbar newsfeed

As part of the May 2021 Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft introduced a new feature to Windows 10 called 'News and Interests.' If you are not a fan of the new widget, this article will explain how you can disable it, so it doesn't appear on the Windows 10 taskbar.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[peterfat11]

Who needs windows....

View attachment 258396

nice

 

[show-Zi]

I think the demand will increase if bargain information of nearby supermarkets is displayed.

Last night in Japan, we were able to see the collaboration of a supermoon and a total lunar eclipse. If such weather phenomena can be displayed, I think the demand for weather forecasts will increase.

 

[Freud2004]

It is, at least in the insider builds...


View attachment 258444

Probably, I have two laptops one Predator like yours and none of them have the news, both systems updated and running windows PT/PT

 

[Ink]

Trying to "personalize" the feed, doesn't register any interests. Is it bugged?

It should reflect the changes from https://www.msn.com/feed to your taskbar.

 

[forgottenuser79643]

I don't know how it works for logged in account, since I use a local account (offline) on both a VM and personal PC. And when I click to personalize the feed, then I get all my interests and options working for the taskbar newsfeed.

The only downside is that I can't personalize which news websites in specific I want to have there.

 

[Stopspying]

I understand why some people like the idea of personalising the newsfeed. Personally I prefer to keep my interests as unpredictable as possible to any online source, they know some things about me, sometimes that is more information than I can remember about my myself, but I don't want them knowing everything about me. Artificial intelligence is only as intelligent as it is trained and allowed to be. If I buy a product on Ebay I get bombarded afterwards with suggestions for the same thing, or what their AI decides is similar. I don't want 47 bicycles, sheds, universal chargers or tap washers. If I read a news story online about the tax avoidance schemes that allow the richest people in the world to get even richer by not paying taxes that mere mortals have to cough up for, I don't want to read 47 other news stories on the same thing from different sources, or worse, a curated set of sources. Reading alternative takes on a news item is healthy if you want to get a balanced viewpoint, 47 takes on it eats into my life just a bit too much.