BeWidgets review
A free Windows widget app with layout saving, a widget store, and custom development tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
BeWidgets is a free Windows desktop widget application from BeXCool. It lets users add desktop widgets, customize widget colors and usage, save and load layouts, and download widgets through an integrated widget store. It suits Windows users who want a configurable desktop and developers who want to create and share custom widgets through a documented workflow.
The product’s main strength is the combination of everyday customization and layout management. Users can adjust widget appearance and usage, then preserve arrangements for later loading. The integrated store provides a place to download widgets, while automatic updates check for application updates when BeWidgets starts. Individual widgets can also be checked for updates. This makes BeWidgets a fit for users who value a maintained desktop setup rather than a static collection of widgets.
BeWidgets also has a clear path for custom widget development. BeXCool provides a Visual Studio template along with workflows for creating, packaging, updating, and publishing widgets. That gives developers a defined route from creation to distribution, while the Microsoft Store provides the application’s distribution channel. The trade-off is its narrow platform scope: BeWidgets supports Windows, so it is not suited to users seeking a cross-platform widget tool. It is also better for people comfortable with a Visual Studio-based development process than for creators seeking a platform-neutral workflow. Choose BeWidgets for free Windows customization and custom widget publishing; choose another option if broader platform support is essential.
BeWidgets pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free desktop widget software for Windows users
- Saves and loads customized widget layouts
- Supports widget development, packaging, and publishing workflows
- Where it doesn't
- Available only on Windows
- Custom development uses a Visual Studio template
- Automatic update checks occur when the application starts
BeWidgets fact sheet, pricing and score →
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