Widgets are a great way to quickly access information and perform tasks on your Mac. However, as you add more widgets to your Notification Center, it can become cluttered and overwhelming. If you find yourself not using certain widgets or simply want to declutter your Notification Center, you may be wondering how to remove widgets from your Mac.
In this article, we’ll discuss the steps to remove widgets from the Notification Center on Mac and provide some tips for managing your widgets effectively.
Why Remove Widgets from the Notification Center?
While widgets can be useful, having too many can make your Notification Center difficult to navigate. This can lead to a cluttered and overwhelming experience, making it harder to find the widgets you actually use.
Removing widgets that you don’t use can also improve the performance of your Mac. Widgets can use up system resources, and having too many can slow down your computer. By removing unnecessary widgets, you can free up resources and potentially improve the overall speed and performance of your Mac.
Best Mac OS X Widgets
Before we dive into how to remove widgets, let’s take a look at some of the best Mac OS X widgets that you may want to keep in your Notification Center.
Calculator
The Calculator widget is a handy tool for quick calculations. It allows you to perform basic math operations without having to open a separate app.
Calendar
The Calendar widget displays your upcoming events and appointments, making it easy to stay organized and on top of your schedule.
Weather
The Weather widget provides a quick glance at the current weather conditions and forecast for your location. This can be especially useful for planning your day or checking the weather before heading out.
World Clock
The World Clock widget allows you to keep track of the time in different time zones. This can be helpful for scheduling meetings or keeping in touch with friends and family in different parts of the world.
How to Remove Widgets from the Notification Center on Mac
Now that you know why you may want to remove widgets from your Notification Center, let’s go through the steps to do so.
Step 1: Open the Notification Center
To begin, click on the Notification Center icon in the top right corner of your Mac’s menu bar. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + N to open the Notification Center.
Step 2: Click on “Edit”
At the bottom of the Notification Center, you’ll see an “Edit” button. Click on this button to enter edit mode.
Step 3: Remove Widgets
In edit mode, you’ll see a list of all the widgets currently in your Notification Center. To remove a widget, simply click on the red “-” button next to it. You can also rearrange the order of your widgets by clicking and dragging the three horizontal lines next to each widget.
Step 4: Click on “Done”
Once you’ve removed or rearranged your widgets, click on the “Done” button in the bottom right corner of the Notification Center to save your changes.
Tips for Managing Your Widgets
Now that you know how to remove widgets from your Notification Center, here are some tips for managing your widgets effectively.
Only Keep the Widgets You Use
As mentioned earlier, having too many widgets can make your Notification Center cluttered and overwhelming. Take some time to go through your widgets and remove any that you don’t use regularly. This will make it easier to find the widgets you actually use and improve the overall performance of your Mac.
Rearrange Your Widgets
In addition to removing widgets, you can also rearrange the order of your widgets in the Notification Center. This can be helpful if you have certain widgets that you use more frequently and want to have them at the top for easy access.
Use Third-Party Widgets
While the default widgets on your Mac can be useful, there are also many third-party widgets available for download. These widgets can provide additional functionality and customization options for your Notification Center. Some popular third-party widgets include:
- Fantastical: A calendar widget that allows you to view and manage your events and appointments.
- iStat Menus: A system monitoring widget that displays information about your Mac’s performance, such as CPU usage and network activity.
- Delivery Status: A package tracking widget that allows you to track your shipments from various carriers.
- Wunderlist: A to-do list widget that syncs with the Wunderlist app on your Mac and other devices.
Conclusion
The Notification Center on your Mac can be a useful tool for quick access to information and tasks. However, having too many widgets can make it cluttered and overwhelming. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily remove widgets from your Notification Center and improve its overall performance. Remember to only keep the widgets you use regularly and consider using third-party widgets for additional functionality and customization options. With these tips, you can effectively manage your widgets and make the most out of your Mac’s Notification Center.
