Microsoft is making Windows 11’s Widgets board more useful with a new Battery Status widget that lets users check the battery levels of their PC and connected peripheral devices from one place.
The feature is rolling out to Windows Insiders running newer builds, giving users a convenient way to monitor power levels without navigating through multiple settings pages. Microsoft introduced the widget with Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26340.9616, released on October 7, 2026, and enabled its widget notification feature on October 9.
For people who regularly use wireless keyboards, mice, headphones, and other connected accessories, this addition could make everyday battery monitoring much easier.
Windows 11 Gets a New Battery Status Widget
The new Battery Status widget is designed to bring battery information into a single, accessible view. Instead of checking different parts of Windows to find power information for your PC and connected devices, you can use the Widgets board to get a quick overview.
Microsoft says the feature is part of its ongoing effort to make Widgets more useful for everyday tasks.
This is a practical addition for users who depend on wireless peripherals throughout the day. Checking battery levels before a meeting, gaming session, or work session can help avoid unexpected interruptions when an accessory runs out of power.
The widget also makes the Widgets board more useful beyond its familiar mix of news, weather, and other glanceable information.
How to Add the Battery Status Widget in Windows 11
Windows Insiders can add the new widget directly from the Widgets board.
Follow these steps:
- Open the Widgets board in Windows 11.
- Select Add widgets.
- Find and select Battery Status.
- Return to the Widgets board to view the widget.
Once added, the widget provides a unified view of battery levels for your PC and supported connected devices.
Microsoft is gradually rolling out the feature, so it might not appear for every Insider immediately, even when the device is running a newer preview build.
Microsoft Enables Widget Notifications
In an update dated October 9, Microsoft confirmed that the widget notification feature had been enabled.
This is a small but notable development as Microsoft continues to improve the Widgets experience. However, the release notes do not specify exactly how these notifications will work or which battery-related events will trigger them.
Users should therefore treat this as an additional capability being enabled during testing rather than assume that every connected device will support low-battery alerts.
When Will the Battery Status Widget Be Available to Everyone?
For now, the Battery Status widget is being gradually rolled out to Windows Insiders on newer builds. Microsoft has not announced a general-release date for all Windows 11 users.
As with other Insider features, its availability and behavior may change as Microsoft gathers feedback and continues testing.
Users who cannot find the widget under Widgets board > Add widgets may need to wait until the feature reaches their device.
You can check the official Windows 11 Insider Experimental Build 26340.9616 release notes for the latest details.
Final Thoughts
The new Battery Status widget is a relatively small Windows 11 improvement, but it addresses a common inconvenience for users with multiple connected devices.
By bringing PC and peripheral battery information into one place, Microsoft is making it easier to keep track of power levels without interrupting everyday tasks. The addition of widget notifications could make the experience more useful, although Microsoft has yet to detail their exact behavior.
For now, the feature remains in gradual rollout for Windows Insiders. Its eventual availability to the broader Windows 11 user base has not been confirmed.
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