Can't install downloaded gadgets

I hope this is the best area to post a question like this.
I have Windows 7 HP 32 bit. It was an OEM upgrade from Vista, but even so, I've gotten it working very well. Other than a couple of file ownership problems and occasional Explorer.exe crashes, which I seem to have finally fixed, the only problem is that I cannot install downloaded desktop gadgets.



All 13 of the prepackaged gadgets work fine, but this is the message I get when I try to install downloaded ones from the link in the gadgets dialog box.

I don't know if this means anything, but the gadgets folder at [c:\users\Owner\appdata~Windows sidebar\gadgets] has some (not all 13) gadget folders in it and the the file icons inside the folders all have locks on them. Just makes me wonder if it's an ownership problem, but I'm just wild guessing on that.

Most people keep insisting I do a clean install. I'd rather fix it since I have a lot of programs, I have all all my libraries and utilities like I want them, and the system runs really fast and clean. But I would like to be able to use gadgets. Any ideas out there?

Thanks,
Rusty

I downloaded them from the link on the main gadget dialog. Click desktop and select gadgets. The dialog has 13 gadgets and a link to find more online. It takes you to a microsoft page. On the first page, I tried several, all with the same results.

I only have 3 gadget folders at that location even though there are 13 of them that came with Windows. And they all work. Just not any I downloaded from that Microsoft gadgets page.

There's my gadgets folder. Do you know how to get the locks off?

Try Disabling the Windows gadget platform search: Turn fea Turn Windows Features on or off Uncheck the "Windows Gadget Platform" box, restart your PC, and turn it on again.

Might fix the problem

Okay, Doc and Sergio, maybe I'm a doofus after all. I was pretty sure I had tried that, but it took care of the problem. I sure am glad I didn't re-install just for that.

Thanks