Sidebar/Gadgets

[HyperL]

Hello,
I have a minor problem that I am unable to solve...I don't really remember how I did it but removed sidebar.exe and the Gadgets option from the context menu on right click and now I want the gadgets back on my desktop...I looked into the registry,msconfig, services...and I don't know how to get it back. I tried to start sidebar.exe from Program Files\Windows Sidebar but nothing happens. I used sfc /scannow and still no luck.
Does anyone has a solution for this?
I have the x86 version of Windows 7.


Thanks,
Hyper

 

[Mark]

Go to your start menu and type cmd and run the application as administrator, once you have command promt open type in the window sfc /scannow and that will hopefully restore your registry and sidebar.exe

 

[HyperL]

Already done that. I haven't restarted the PC but as far I see nothing changed.

 

[limneos]

If you only removed the context menu link, sfc won't bring it back.

Hold on, I'll do some registry checking to see if we can find the default value

 

[limneos]

Have you been doing any resource hacking? editing any dll or mui files?

 

[limneos]

Try creating a new user and tell us if it happens to this new user too

 

[HyperL]

I haven't done any dll modifications or mui modifications. I'm creating a new account now.


I have created a new account and same problem. Anyway I found out that sidebar.exe doesn't exist anymore in Program Files\Windows Sidebar, it exists only somewhere in the winsxs folder from the Windows folder. I know I haven't deleted anything from the Program Files folder...how can I restore Sidebar? System Restore is not an option because I don't really know since when the sidebar is gone and I only have the most recent restore point.

 

[Joan Archer]

Can you do a System Restore to see if that will bring it back. ?

 

[Dyklu]

I have the same problem. I click on Application whitch need to be run as administrator, i run it as administrator and after sedonds shows " You must run this program with admin rights"
It shows when UAC is turned on or off, on new account too
I have win7 beta1 7000 64bit

Do You known why I can't run it with dmin rights??

 

[HyperL]

I already told that a System Restore is out of the question because I only have the most recent one which will not affect sidebar.
Dyklu have you tweked the registry in order to run gadgets with UAC off? The solution is here on the forum.

 

[Mark]

Here are all the sidebar folder including Vista and Windows 7 x86 & x64


(x86) Sidebar
(x64) Sidebar

 

[HyperL]

Ok, I copied the folder's content to Program Files and I still can't start the application. Nothing happens. How can I restore the right click context menu entry as it was. Does anybody have a registry entry?

 

[Mark]

To Add "Gadgets" Option:​

1. Type regedit in RUN or Startmenu Search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
​

3. Now we'll need to create a new key under "Shell" key. Right-click on "Shell" key and select "New -> Key". Give the new key name of "Gadgets" (without quotes).
4. Now we'll need to create another new key. Right-click on the new key which we created in the last step e.g. Gadgets and select "New -> Key". Give the new key name of command.
5. Now select "command" key and in right-side pane, you'll see "Default" String value. Double-click on it and set its value to as following:

C:\program files\windows sidebar\sidebar.exe /showgadgets

​

 

[Dyklu]

Dyklu have you tweked the registry in order to run gadgets with UAC off?

Yes, I have and it works

 

[HyperL]

To Add "Gadgets" Option:​

1. Type regedit in RUN or Startmenu Search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
​

3. Now we'll need to create a new key under "Shell" key. Right-click on "Shell" key and select "New -> Key". Give the new key name of "Gadgets" (without quotes).
4. Now we'll need to create another new key. Right-click on the new key which we created in the last step e.g. Gadgets and select "New -> Key". Give the new key name of command.
5. Now select "command" key and in right-side pane, you'll see "Default" String value. Double-click on it and set its value to as following:

C:\program files\windows sidebar\sidebar.exe /showgadgets

​

Done, but clicking on the context menu item does nothing...:shock:
Very strange...

 

[Mark]

Have you tried using this to see if that helps.

For anyone who wishes to have there Windows 7 gadgets work when UAC is disabled, there is a NEW registry fix for enabling the Sidebar with UAC off, download reg file and right click and select merge, restart and enjoy.

   Warning

Downloading this file type (.reg) can potentially harm your computer.

Sidebar NO UAC Reg Fix

 

[HyperL]

Yes, I fixed the registry before sidebar.exe disappeared.

 

[caid602]

Mr Grim: How can I download the files you attached at post #13?