If you are a heavy Microsoft 365 user, you likely keep Outlook open. While not strictly a desktop gadget, there is a way to keep your calendar visible without cluttering your screen with full windows.
Windows 11 doesn't have a native "pinned" desktop calendar like older versions of Windows, but you can achieve a similar look using widgets or browser shortcuts.
Alternatively, Edge now allows you to open the "Sidebar" (the plus sign on the right edge of the browser) and pin Google Calendar there, making it accessible regardless of what tab you have open. how to add calendar to windows 11 desktop
While handy, this is a slide-out panel. It obscures your desktop when open. If you want a calendar that lives behind your windows or sits statically on your wallpaper, this method might feel lacking.
is a reliable utility that brings these classic gadgets back to Windows 11. If you are a heavy Microsoft 365 user,
Many Rainmeter calendar skins are interactive. You can often click a date to add an event (though this usually links to Windows Calendar or Google Calendar web interfaces).
Windows 11 does not have a native "always-on" desktop calendar widget like older versions of Windows once did. However, you can add one using Widget Launcher from the Microsoft Store, which places a customizable calendar directly on your desktop. Alternatively, Edge now allows you to open the
: Press Win + W or click the Widgets icon on the left side of your taskbar.