Gadgets - Add or Remove from Desktop

How to Add or Remove Desktop Gadgets in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to add or remove Gadgets from the Windows 7 Desktop. Gadgets are mini-programs on the desktop which offer information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools.

   Note

Gadgets are no longer on Windows Sidebar like in Vista. Once a gadget is added to the desktop, you can move and leave it anywhere you like on the desktop.

Gadgets installed by a User are located in the hidden folder below:

(shell:gadgets)
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets


The Gadgets and Shared Gadgets folders is located at:

For 64-bit Windows 7
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets

and

C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Sidebar\Shared Gadgets


For 32-bit Windows 7
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets

and

C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Shared Gadgets

   Warning

• Have gadgets enabled. Gadgets are enabled by default in Windows 7.
• Show Desktop Items needs to be checked in order to see the gadgets.

OPTION ONE

To Add a Desktop Gadget

1. Right click on a empty space on the desktop and click on Gadgets. (See screenshot below) A) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Desktop Gadgets icon.

3. Double click on a gadget to add it to the desktop. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: For more information about the gadgets click on the Show details button.

4. When done close the Gadget Gallery window.

OPTION TWO

To Remove a Desktop Gadget

1. Right click on the gadget and click on Close Gadget.

OR

2. Click on the white X in the upper right corner of the gadget. (See screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Use Show Desktop in Windows 7
• How to Reinstate the Vista Sidebar on Windows 7
• How to Hide or Show Desktop Gadgets in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Gadgets in Windows 7
• How to Turn Windows 7 Gadgets Feature On or Off
• How to Allow or Prevent User Installed Gadgets in Windows 7
• How to Allow or Prevent Installation of Unsigned Gadgets in Windows 7
• How to Restore the Default Windows 7 Gadgets
• Trick to Moving Gadgets in Windows 7 Closer Together
• How to Customize Existing Windows 7 Gadgets
• How to Create a Gadgets Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Change the "Get more gadgets online" Link in Windows 7
• How to Fix Gadgets not Displaying Correctly in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove "Gadgets" from Desktop Context Menu in Windows

 

[DTree]

As a side note, If you click the "Windows Vista Sidebar" link above you may see an add for the PCSHOWBUZZ aka "TVOLUTION" software.
You wouldnt think that Microsoft would let adds on there site that link to software that will stuff up youre system with virus, malware and whatnot, thats exactly what this is.
Plus the software doesnt work hehe.
Please do youre own research though as I may be wrong

~D

 

[Brink]

Hello DTree,

Uhm, that is interesting. I would not think MS would have ads either, but I would think that they would make sure it was safe.

 

[Hawre Mhamad]

Thanks for this post