If for any reason, a widget non-visible on the desktop [1], it looks like there is no way to uninstall (installed/added via Widget Explorer or Add Panel option) system widget (like Digital Clock), beside removing system packages (with depends on pretty much half of KDE/Plasma) or editing system files. Kubuntu 18.04.1 64bit KDE Plasma 5.12.6 [1]: A real example of this situation https://www.kubuntuforums.net/showthread.php/74165-Default-panel-disappeared
Just to clarify - I am talking about been able to remove visible and invisible instances of the widget from my desktop (not deleting packages, etc.).
*** Bug 396410 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Another real use for this feature: if you've accidentally added a zillion instances of a widget (e.g. notes, see duped Bug 396410), it would be nice to have a user-visible way to remove them all.
That's not a good summary. The user did not have a zillion active instances of the widget. He had added and removed a zillion instances. I still really don't really understand what problem we're trying to solve here. The only way you have a situation where you can't delete a widget the normal way are: 1) widget on a desktop view on a disconnected monitor/activity At which point, what's the point of blindly deleting it? It's not doing anything. 2) in the event of some other bug. At which point this isn't remotely a solution.
(In reply to David Edmundson from comment #4) > That's not a good summary. The user did not have a zillion active instances > of the widget. He had added and removed a zillion instances. He was only able to remove them after receiving info in a Bugzilla ticket that was being inappropriately used for user support. To me that suggests that there's a UI issue somewhere. It seems to be a particular issue with Notes where: 1. It's easy to accidentally create notes 2. Users are likely to have more than one
Thanks for the update; changing status for inspection.
I would suggest to consider an option to move an invisible (on a disconnected display) widget to a visible position. That might help with this issue. (The count in the Add Widget Workflow also counts those invisible instances). That would also help my workflow because I would not need to either 1. edit the config and restart plasma or 2. add and configure a second instance of the widget which I would need to delete once the other display is connected again.
In retrospect I have to agree with David about this. Bugs that cause the desire for this should simply be fixed instead. :)