Windows 7: won't download gadgets

I was playing around with some settings, and somehow disabled the ability to download gadgets. If I download them through .zip files, they will install and work fine. I cannot remember how I got to the initial screen so that I can enable whatever I disabled. I am running the Enterprise edition of Windows 7.

Welcome!

First, could a system restore work?

Also, check out these tutorials: Gadgets - Turn On or Off

Gadgets - Allow or Prevent User Installed Gadgets

At the bottom of the tutorial, you will see a Related box. See if one of those works too.

Johnathan; Thanks for the reply. The only restore point I have is long after the time I messed around with the settings. I reread the tutorials, and tried to reinstate the sidebar on Windows 7 as outlined. My user account does not have full control checked, and I was unable to change it. I followed the instructions as outlined by Mark on 11-18-2008. The check boxes remained grayed out, and I was not able to change anything.

The settings window I was messing with looked like an old XP one that listed all the various changes you could make to the system. I remember one that I unchecked dealt with tablet settings, if that gives you any hints as to which set of settings I was looking at. I have been unable to find it again.

I think you are referring to Turn Windows Features On or Off. Search for that in the start menu.

Jonathan; Thanks. That was the correct screen. I checked the same boxes as are checked on the computer that is downloading the gadgets with no problems. Didn't help. I thought the problem may be with my browser, am using FireFox. Switched to IE8, and still couldn't download when I selected the 'Install" button.

Went back to FireFox, with the same add-ons as are used on the computer that works, and still wouldn't download. I did however, get a redirect(?) to watson.live.com instead of the download location.

Oh yes, after stopping all the other add-ons I have on the troubled machine, I restarted the computer before trying again.

Also checked the permissions on the good machine, and they are exactly the same as I have on the one that doesn't download gadgets.

Am thinking that maybe I have a problem with either the installation of FireFox or with Windows 7?