Overview
- Early September reporting found references and image assets for a new battery-status widget in Windows 11 preview-build files that were first flagged on Discord and written up by Windows Central and TweakTown.
- The widget's design shows a vertical list that starts with the host PC and then lists connected peripherals with an icon, device name, battery percentage, charging indicators, and an energy-saver state.
- Preview-build assets indicate users will be able to place the widget on the Widgets Board or on the lock screen and choose light or dark themes, but the feature is not active in builds and Microsoft has not confirmed a release date.
- Third-party apps already offer similar functionality today, for example the Battery Flyout app, so users do not have to wait for Microsoft's version to monitor accessory batteries now.
- If shipped, the widget would bring Windows closer to Android and iOS parity on accessory battery monitoring and could increase real-world use of the underused Widgets Board by giving it a clear system-level tool.