Hi Billy,
Try the ISO again and this time tick for it
Not to Check for Updates. I had this happen
once and not letting it check for updates
worked and then afterwards I got all the
updates via Windows Update.
no widgets selection for lock screen setup
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(249.60000000000002, 95%, 34%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EBL%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Billy L Bunting
20
Reputation points
no widgets selection for lock screen setup and spotlight does not change the photo
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Themes
Answer accepted by question author
CrazyKats
19,245
Reputation points
Volunteer Moderator
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Billy L Bunting 20 Reputation points
2026-09-04T17:35:54.23+00:00 I performed the ISO installation as you recommended and it worked. However, it did not fix the missing widget button with drop down menu for my lock screen in Settings - Personalization. There is a lock screen status button with a drop down menu for weather that doesn't work. There is never a weather display on my lock screen.
My other Windows 11 computer doesn't have a lock screen status button but it does have the widget button with its drop down menu. Any more suggestions?
Billy
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8 additional answers
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CrazyKats 19,245 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-04T19:59:51.71+00:00 Hi Billy,
Please run this Command again:
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Billy L Bunting 20 Reputation points
2026-09-04T20:50:19.3+00:00 That didn't help. Still have the problem.
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CrazyKats 19,245 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-04T20:08:04.0633333+00:00 Hi Billy,
Last suggestion, use the ISO you have from MCT,
create a bootable USB and do a total clean install.
Backup anything important and delete all partitions.
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CrazyKats 19,245 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-05T21:42:44.7166667+00:00 Hi Billy,
If you restored a system image from June,
what build are you on now?
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Billy L Bunting 20 Reputation points
2026-09-05T21:57:19.0933333+00:00 Windows 11, version 25H2, 26200.9278
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CrazyKats 19,245 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-05T21:45:29.5+00:00 Also, per Copilot:
Quick Answer
You cannot add Lock Screen widgets if:
Your Windows 11 build doesn’t have the feature yet (it’s only fully available on 23H2+, and even then Microsoft enables it server‑side)
Widgets are disabled by policy (e.g., AllowNewsAndInterests registry key)
Your profile or system files are corrupted (SFC/DISM often fixes this)
You clicked “Not interesting” on Spotlight images repeatedly — this is a known bug that can freeze Spotlight and remove widget options
🛠️ Step-by-step fixes
Below is a structured troubleshooting guide you can follow.
01
Verify Your Windows 11 Version
Most Common Cause
Lock Screen widgets only appear on supported builds, mainly 23H2 and newer.
Press Win + R → type winver → OK
If you're on 22H2 or older, the widget option will not appear.
Even on 23H2+, Microsoft may not have enabled it on your device yet (controlled rollout).
02
Install All Pending Windows Updates
Microsoft enables the feature through cumulative updates and server-side toggles.
Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
Install all updates, including optional ones.
Restart your PC afterward.
03
Ensure Widgets Are Enabled System-wide
Widgets rely on Microsoft Edge and account services.
Settings → Personalization → Widgets
Make sure Widgets are turned On.
Set Microsoft Edge as your default browser.
Sign in with a Microsoft account (local accounts may cause issues).
04
Remove Problematic Registry Policy
Safe Fix
A policy key called AllowNewsAndInterests can block widgets entirely.
Registry path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\DshLook for AllowNewsAndInterests.
If present, delete it.
Restart your PC.
05
Repair System Files
Highly Effective
Corrupted system files can break Spotlight and widget availability.
Run in Command Prompt (Admin):
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthsfc /scannow06
Test with a New User Profile
If widgets appear in a new profile, your current profile is corrupted.
Settings → Accounts → Other users → Add account
- Create a temporary local account.
Lock the screen and check if widgets appear.
Quick Answer
You cannot add Lock Screen widgets if:
Your Windows 11 build doesn’t have the feature yet (it’s only fully available on 23H2+, and even then Microsoft enables it server‑side)
Widgets are disabled by policy (e.g., **AllowNewsAndInterests** registry key) Your profile or system files are corrupted (SFC/DISM often fixes this) You clicked “**Not interesting**” on Spotlight images repeatedly — this is a known bug that can freeze Spotlight and remove widget options ## 🛠️ **Step-by-step fixes** Below is a structured troubleshooting guide you can follow. ### 01 ### Verify Your Windows 11 Version Most Common Cause Lock Screen widgets only appear on supported builds, mainly 23H2 and newer. Press **Win + R → type winver → OK** If you're on **22H2 or older**, the widget option will not appear. Even on 23H2+, Microsoft may not have enabled it on your device yet (controlled rollout). ### 02 ### Install All Pending Windows Updates Microsoft enables the feature through cumulative updates and server-side toggles. Go to **Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates** Install all updates, including optional ones. Restart your PC afterward. ### 03 ### Ensure Widgets Are Enabled System-wide Widgets rely on Microsoft Edge and account services. Settings → Personalization → Widgets Make sure Widgets are turned **On**. Set **Microsoft Edge** as your default browser. Sign in with a **Microsoft account** (local accounts may cause issues). ### 04 ### Remove Problematic Registry Policy Safe Fix A policy key called AllowNewsAndInterests can block widgets entirely. Registry path: `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh` Look for **AllowNewsAndInterests**. If present, **delete** it. Restart your PC. ### 05 ### Repair System Files Highly Effective Corrupted system files can break Spotlight and widget availability. Run in Command Prompt (Admin): `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth` `sfc /scannow` ### 06 ### Test with a New User Profile If widgets appear in a new profile, your current profile is corrupted. Settings → Accounts → Other users → Add account Create a temporary local account. Lock the screen and check if widgets appear.