Gadgets on Win 7 have disappeared and unable to recover


  1. Marhall
    Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.
       New #1

    Gadgets on Win 7 have disappeared and unable to recover


    Hello,

    Today I turned on my PC and found my gadgets to be missing. I then tried to resolve the issue with opening Control panel> Programs> Desktop Gadgets. I am unable to click on on any of the options on that section, I can click on all other feature on this page. I also tried right clicking the desktop and i still am unable to click on that section either. I haven't installed any new anti virus or had any updates from Microsoft either. Im not sure if there are any quick fixes, or if this is a bug, or if there is something I can do to resolve this. Screen shot below. All help and advice greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. JDobbsy1987
    Posts : 2,177
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
       New #2

    Hi and Welcome to SevenForums,

    Microsoft have an article here that may help - Windows 7 gadgets may not work or be displayed correctly

    They recommend doing a scannow, here is a guide to help with that - SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

    Regards,
    Jamie
      My Computer
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  4. mopar3
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10 Home 64 bit
       New #3

    Microsoft recommends not using the Gadgets. They are prone to viruses. I'm not sure if there is an update for this that stops the Gadgets from working. Mine no longer work. When I first bought my computer they were fine.
    This covers Vista and Win 7.
      My Computer
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  6. Tookeri
    Posts : 1,049
    Windows 7 Pro 32
       New #4

    Yes there's a Fix it, see this thread Not recognized as Administrator
      My Computer
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  7. mopar3
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10 Home 64 bit
       New #5

    See this - Gadgets have been discontinued - Microsoft Windows
      My Computer
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  8. JDobbsy1987
    Posts : 2,177
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
       New #6

    mopar3 said:
    See this - Gadgets have been discontinued - Microsoft Windows
    That articles kind of comes across a little "Upgrade to Window 8"

    I may be a little sceptical and would never advise people to do the opposite of what Microsoft advise but desktops gadgets have been round for ages and nothing major had been announced about these vulnerabilities however less than a month before Windows 8 comes out (with all the apps) they say the gadgets/side bar in Windows 7/Vista are insecure.
      My Computer
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  10. Callender
    Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       New #7

    Restore Default Gadgets


    Tutorial: Restore Default Gadgets

    Personally I keep sidebar and gadgets disabled as per the advice from Microsoft.
      My Computer
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  11. A Guy
    Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       New #8

    Welcome to Seven Forums Marhall. Try this, easy fix if works.

    Start> In search box type Turn Windows features on or off> Enter> Scroll down to Windows Gadget Platform> Uncheck it and restart your PC> Go back and check it again

    Windows Features - Turn On or Off

    See if gadgets return. A Guy
      My Computer
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  12. csn2020
    Posts : 1
    Microsoft Windows 7, Professional 64-bit
       New #9

    Here's my solution: ctrl-alt-del > start task mgr > end process "sidebar.exe", then right-click on desktop > select "Gadgets".
      My Computer
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