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Gadgets - Enable or Disable

How to Enable or Disable Gadgets in Windows 7 and Vista
Published 08 Feb 2009
Published by
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How to Enable or Disable Gadgets in Windows 7 and Vista


information   Information
This will show you how to enable or disable all currently running gadgets, and from being able to add new desktop gadgets for all users in Vista and Windows 7.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.


warning   Warning
For you to be able to use and add gadgets to your desktop, you must:
  • Have gadgets enabled below.
  • Show Desktop Items needs to be checked in order to see the gadgets.

EXAMPLE: "Desktop gadgets are managed by your system administrator."
NOTE: When gadgets is disabled, this will be the message all users will get when they try to add a gadget.
Gadgets - Enable or Disable-message.jpg






OPTION ONE
Using a REG File Download
1. To Enable Gadgets
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Gadgets.reg
download
B) If not already, make sure that you have Windows Gadget Platform checked in Windows Features.

C) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable Gadgets
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Gadgets.reg
download
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to completely apply.
NOTE: Gadgets that are currently running may not be disabled until you do this step.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg files on the desktop if you like.






OPTION TWO
Through the Local Group Policy Editor
1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Desktop Gadgets. (See screenshot below)
Gadgets - Enable or Disable-group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Turn off desktop gadgets and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Gadgets
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) If not already, make sure that you have Windows Gadget Platform checked in Windows Features.

C) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable Gadgets
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Gadgets - Enable or Disable-properties.jpg
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to completely apply.
NOTE: Gadgets that are currently running may not be disabled until you do this step.
That's it,
Shawn
Need more help? Try searching our extensive help and support site.
Loading
26 Aug 2010   #1
anas malas

windows 7 ultimate 32bit
35 posts
my home town is jordan and i live in uae
 
 
thanx
hi and thanx for every thing this worked good
My System SpecsSystem Spec

26 Aug 2010   #2
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
47,071 posts
Texas
 
 
You're most welcome Anas Malas, and welcome to Seven Forums.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
13 Sep 2010   #3
WindowsStar

Windows 7 Enterprise (x64); Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
2,802 posts
Earth - I wish I was on Risa
 
 
Note: The registry change only seems to work in Vista. I could not get it to work in Windows 7.

Here is how to do it in Windows 7 :

Gadgets - Turn On or Off
Last edited by Brink; 13 Sep 2010 at 02:54 PM.. Reason: replaced link ;)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


13 Sep 2010   #4
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
47,071 posts
Texas
 
 
Hello WindowsStar,

It still works fine for me. Did you log off and on, or restart the computer afterwards?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
14 Sep 2010   #5
WindowsStar

Windows 7 Enterprise (x64); Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
2,802 posts
Earth - I wish I was on Risa
 
 
Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Brink View Post
Hello WindowsStar,

It still works fine for me. Did you log off and on, or restart the computer afterwards?
Yes I sure did (log off and back on as well as reboot).

The above Registry Modifications do not work in Windows 7, or at lest for me, I tried several machines. Howerver the replaced link pointing to uninstalling Gadgets does work perfectly in Windows 7.

Thanks for fixing my link. -WS
My System SpecsSystem Spec
14 Sep 2010   #6
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
47,071 posts
Texas
 
 
Hmmm, ok. Let's see if we can figure out why it's not working for you.

Is there any particular part that is or is not working? For example:
  • Do you get the example message when you right click on the desktop and click on Gadgets after disabling gadgets?
  • Is is that the currently loaded gadgets to not get turned off after log off or restart when set to disabled? If so, what gadgets?
  • Does using the Group Policy option instead work for you?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
14 Sep 2010   #7
WindowsStar

Windows 7 Enterprise (x64); Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
2,802 posts
Earth - I wish I was on Risa
 
 
Humm; Picture worth a thousand words:

Forgot to say I did not try the Local Policy.

However the uninstall method works perfectly. -WS
Attached Thumbnails
Gadgets - Enable or Disable-regpix.png   Gadgets - Enable or Disable-desktoppix.png   Gadgets - Enable or Disable-gadgetspix.png  
My System SpecsSystem Spec
14 Sep 2010   #8
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
47,071 posts
Texas
 
 
Double check at the registry location below to see if you may have a TurnOffSidebar DWORD entry. If you do, delete it.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar


You might also use the Find and Find Next option in regedit to search for any TurnOffSidebar DWORD entries other than at the location below, and delete any found.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar
My System SpecsSystem Spec
14 Sep 2010   #9
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
47,071 posts
Texas
 
 
Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by WindowsStar View Post
Forgot to say I did not try the Local Policy.

However the uninstall method works perfectly. -WS
Yeah, either method will basically do the same thing. It just bugs me that the REG files here will not work for you. Hopefully we'll find out why.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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