Microsoft Launcher 5.3 Adds Improved Weather Widget, More

Microsoft has released a minor update to its Android launcher, adding a redesigned Weather widget and various other improvements.

Unlike some recent Microsoft Launcher updates, like 5.1, which added a suite of Digital Health features, Microsoft To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, Bing Mini-Answers, and more, Microsoft Launcher 5.3 is a relatively minor release. The marquee new feature is a completely redesigned Weather widget—which is really a Clock/Weather widget—that now supports multiple locations.

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Other new features include:

  • UX refinements to the Home Screen, Dock and Search widget
  • Tasks card now supports “My Day” and “Flagged Emails” from Microsoft To Do
  • News tab now supports “Technology” as a news interest
  • Work profile customers can now get access to their work apps
  • Beta community link in Settings changed to Microsoft Tech Community

You can download Microsoft Launcher 5.3 from the Google Play Store.

Tagged with

Share post

Please check our Community Guidelines before commenting

Conversation 11 comments

  • csteinblock

    09 April, 2019 - 8:38 am

    <p>And they moved the search bar from the top to the bottom. It has mess all my screens up. If anyone knows how to move it back to the top, please let me know!</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      09 April, 2019 - 9:11 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#419350">In reply to CSteinblock:</a></em></blockquote><p>Can't you just move it?</p>

    • djross95

      Premium Member
      09 April, 2019 - 9:15 am

      <blockquote><a href="#419350"><em>In reply to CSteinblock: </em></a> In MS Launcher settings, look for "search", then "search bar". It gives you the choice of where to put it. 🙂 </blockquote><p><br></p>

      • csteinblock

        09 April, 2019 - 3:44 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#419362">In reply to djross95:</a></em></blockquote><p>Awesome, thank you. Now this launcher is just right.</p>

  • Winner

    09 April, 2019 - 12:59 pm

    <p>Am I imagining that Microsoft had widgets/gadgets on the desktop in Vista and then removed them for some reason?</p><p>Somehow it's funny that we have widgets on our phones but not on our computers.</p>

    • Dan1986ist

      Premium Member
      09 April, 2019 - 2:04 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#419429">In reply to Winner:</a></em></blockquote><p>Widgets in Vista and 7 were a thing, if memory serves. </p>

  • anthonye1778

    09 April, 2019 - 1:12 pm

    <p>I've always liked the Microsoft launcher. Maybe I'll give it a try again now that I've switched back to Android. Thanks for the info!</p>

  • robincapper

    09 April, 2019 - 10:18 pm

    <p>Just me who finds this launcher UI horribly complicated? I like the Microsoft services (timeline etc) integration but would love them to do a simple launcher which used AI/learning to only present what you need when you need it. Nokia were close with their Z launcher, by far the most elegant one I have used.</p>

  • RickyHansen

    Premium Member
    10 April, 2019 - 3:15 am

    <p>I love the MS Launcher, but Ihate the way you have to set is as your default assistant (after Google changed some policies), go get badges to work.</p><p><br></p><p>Now I cannot have badges on my launcher AND use Google assistant….</p><p><br></p><p>So, boring Huawei standard launcher is what I have left…</p>

  • Marky_DK

    Premium Member
    10 April, 2019 - 11:57 am

    <p>We need Work Account login and complete management from Intune and this launcher would be the best thing since sliced bread.</p>

  • cwfinn

    Premium Member
    12 September, 2019 - 3:16 pm

    <p>Has anyone figured out how to make desktop (screen top?) folders transparent. If one drags one icon on top of another, a new folder is created but its color seems to be both opaque and random.</p>

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Thurrott © 2024 Thurrott LLC