Desktop gadgets always 'on top' after Windows Update

[Marty McFly]

I haven't installed any Windows updates for the last three years, after the horrors of 2016 (forced install of Windows 10, nagging, telemetry, etc)


Anyway, a few days ago I heard about two critical security updates released over the past few years, and thought I had better install them:


kb4012212 - to fix the EternalBlue threat

kb4499175 - to fix the BlueKeep threat


However, since I did this, my desktop gadgets are now appearing 'on top' of some of my applications.


Can anyone help?

 

[wither 2]

In the notification area of the system tray, right click on the Windows Sidebar icon and select properties. Is "the sidebar is always on top...." checkbox checked?

 

[Marty McFly]

In the notification area of the system tray, right click on the Windows Sidebar icon and select properties. Is "the sidebar is always on top...." checkbox checked?

Hmmm, I don't see a sidebar icon in the system tray?

 

[wither 2]

My apologies. They did away with that in Win 7. Right click on a gadget. Is the Always on Top option checkmarked?

 

[Marty McFly]

Hey, that was definitely very helpful!

When I first looked, there was no checkmark next to "Always on top". I clicked it and nothing happened. Clicked it a second time and a checkmark DID appear, so I clicked it a third time and the checkmark disappeared.

Since then, the gadgets don't seem to be appearing on top quite as much. (I think.) Although it still seems to happen if I…

1. Click on the "show desktop" button in the bottom right
2. Then maximize (or open) certain applications

 

[wither 2]

Trying to trouble shoot problems on a system which doesn't have all the updates is, oftentimes, an exercise in futility. There are so many dependencies between updates.

If you right click on a gadget when you run one of the apps you mention, is always on top checkmarked?

 

[Marty McFly]

Trying to trouble shoot problems on a system which doesn't have all the updates is, oftentimes, an exercise in futility. There are so many dependencies between updates.

Yes, I'm sure that's true.

If you right click on a gadget when you run one of the apps you mention, is always on top checkmarked?

No, it's not checkmarked.

 

[wither 2]

Would you tell me which app (s) do this? Are you running those maximized? Where on your desktop do you have the gadgets?

Kinda grasping for straws.

I did find this-

Gadgets always stay on top

Also, do you have Deskcape installed?

 

[Marty McFly]

I really appreciate you trying to help Wither

I did find this- Gadgets always stay on top

Thanks for that. Neither solution worked, involving disabling then re-enabling Gadgets.

Would you tell me which app (s) do this?

I've tried various different Gadgets, including standard Windows ones, and they all do this.

Also, do you have Deskcape installed?

No, never even heard of that.

Are you running those maximized? Where on your desktop do you have the gadgets?

The gadget I use is an image which sits on my desktop (the image contains my notes on various things I need to regularly remember). I have it quite large so it kind of fills quarter of the screen.

 

[wither 2]

What I wanted to know is what software you are running when the gadgets appear.

Are you saying the gadget, such as the image, is not a Windows gadget?

 

[Marty McFly]

What I wanted to know is what software you are running when the gadgets appear.

Are you saying the gadget, such as the image, is not a Windows gadget?

It's not a standalone application, it's a standard Windows Gadget, accessed through the Gadgets panel. This main one I use is actually one I installed myself (been using it for years), but this problem persists with any of the default Windows gadgets such as Clock or Picture Puzzle, so it isn't gadget-specific.


I've just noticed that the problem only ever seems to occur when I perform the "Show Desktop" command, either with Windows+D or clicking the bottom right corner.

 

[wither 2]

I apologize for not responding to your last post. I was just looking through my old e-mail notifications and found it.

As I understand it, the Gadget is set to not be on top but appears anyway when you return to your desktop?

 

[Marty McFly]

As I understand it, the Gadget is set to not be on top but appears anyway when you return to your desktop?

Yes, when I right-click on the Gadget, "always on top" is not checked.
When I press Windows+D to show the desktop, then click on a taskbar tab of an open program, the program maximizes (animated) but then the Gadget appears over it. This only happens with certain applications, though. I haven't been able to find any common feature of the applications it happens to.

 

[wither 2]

Honestly, I don't know how to change that.

Move the icon for one of the affected programs from the taskbar to the desktop. Right click on it and select Properties.
What is set for "Run" in the Shortcut tab?

 

[Marty McFly]

Honestly, I don't know how to change that.

Nevertheless, I really appreciate you trying to help!

Move the icon for one of the affected programs from the taskbar to the desktop. Right click on it and select Properties.
What is set for "Run" in the Shortcut tab?

I tried it with two of the affected programs and they are both set to "Normal window", so I'm guessing that's just completely normal.

 

[Snick]

Why don't you delete the registry key or keys associated with Gadgets. Don't know how?
Or shut Gadgets off with a Reg script that runs say, every time you need it too, just set Task Manager to run the
Batch or PowerShell Script. You can find that on the Net with Google, I have, easily or learn a little Batch
CMD ssd64.com

Let me play around a little with batch of give Paul Black a shout he may have a batch script for that. Doubt it but maybe.

Wow imagin' that, look what I found Googling how to turn off gadgets
Gadgets - Turn On or Off - Windows 7 Help Forums
Microsoft urges Windows Vista, 7 users to disable desktop gadgets ...
Turn off Windows Gadget Platform to disable Windows 7

Sounds like you have a conflict in the gadgets folder, you can try uninstalling your gadgets, then reinstalling them maybe in a different root folder, you may have to play around with properties of the root exe in the programs or x86 programs directory. All your Shortcuts run from the executable in those folders unless you have custom install location.
If you place a shortcut or a pointered shortcut in say the desktop folder, it retains some of the initial properties of the executable, so to speak, a little more technical though.

It has to do with hard links that are associated with SysWoW and SysWow64, the ability for backwards compatibility with say, my Office 2010 Student Edition x32 , Office 2016 Professional x32, Office 365 x32.

How Windows 7 OS is structured, Windows Update, hard to diagnose, harder to fix.
The changes that are Windows 10, under the hood are substantial, beta tested it for 3-4 weeks. Crash it, figure out why, M$ creates a patch. I install it, it works no more crash, they deploy it to all Beta testers, 2 years before you could purchase it. First Beta version becomes somewhat stable, I relinquished testing.

Bill

 

[Marty McFly]

Thanks for your help Bill.


This happens with ANY gadgets I use, including default gadgets like Clock, so I don't think it has anything to do with individual gadgets, therefore I don't see any point in uninstalling and reinstalling them. I don't know how to delete registry keys for the gadgets, but again I'm not sure that would help since this affects ALL gadgets.

 

[wither 2]

If you change the Run setting to Maximize, does it still do it?

 

[Marty McFly]

If you change the Run setting to Maximize, does it still do it?

No change.


I've also noticed one detail, not sure if it's relevant. When the gadget appears over an application, the gadget remains in the foreground, no matter where I click on the application. Except if I click on the application's title bar, then the gadget is hidden.

 

[Snick]

Marty McFly
I don't have close to 2000 posts this year on SevenForums, mostly on Windows Update, for Free, because I like to waste my time!
If you have any version of OFFICE, if you go > Computer > Uninstall a Program > M$ Office bla bla bla > click on it > option > repair Office > YES.

Troubleshooting 101, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID
KISS principle - Wikipedia


The simplest solution is THEN ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM.

If the lamp don't work, humm ... I think I'll check the MAIL, WRONG.
Check the Plug for power, Bulb for filament burned out
LED well, better check the cord socket, switch on lamp, etc.
Check the dinner on the stove, no, I have to check my LUNCH.

Anyway, the point is to EVERYONE, a computer works with 0 1
All the extra crap is for HUMANS!
Break anything down to its simplest parts,
and on the way, you find the SOLUTION EVERY TIME
YOU JUST HAVE TO DIG DEEP ENOUGH
GIVE IT A GO ON WINDOWS UPDATE ISSUES SOMETIME
I HAVE 867 K Windows files on my NAS to help you
Yes, you don't see a point in what I ask, WHY?
Ignorance, not stupidity,you are not stupid.
You decision was made on partial, non informed criteria.
You are here for help and then turned my assistance away.
Are you my FRIEND for that, as I am here for FREE to TRY TO HELP YOU

Nice post reply please? YES?

Bill