Gadgets - Enable or Disable

redmerc · 15 Mar 2013

OK, I just checked them and they are Not Configured, just as they are supposed to be. Would you suggest disable turn off windows gadgets, or leave it alone?

Brink said:

In group policy, you would go to both locations (User & Computer) in OPTION TWO of the tutorial to make sure that they are both set to "Not Configured". They would be by default unless previously changed.

Brink · 15 Mar 2013

Personally, I would not use gadgets anymore since they could pose a security breach risk.

redmerc · 15 Mar 2013

Well, that may be, but I want them to work, and they should be working. Something just went wrong with Windows and I won't give up until I find the fix or re-install the whole thing. The real issue is, this should not be happening.

Thanks for your help though.

Brink said:

Personally, I would not use gadgets anymore since they could pose a security breach risk.

Brink · 15 Mar 2013

That's fine. I was just giving you my opinion you asked about.

Since this started a few days back, you could do a system restore using a restore point (if available) dated before this started to hopefully undo the unknown cause and fix this for you. :)

redmerc · 15 Mar 2013

Just wanted to thank you for trying, which was the reason that I joined the forums actually. However, I did solve my problem. In the past few days there were more than a few Windows updates and IE 10. I didn't want to go through that again, just to the same problem come back. I also had a program update to Avast free VS. On a hunch, I uninstalled it, and everything is fine. I've done repeated restarts and it's still fine. So, Avast was the problem, not Windows.

I made the switch to AVG Free and I have no problems at all with the gadgets. Things are as they should be. I thought you might like to know.

And, thanks again.

Brink said:

That's fine. I was just giving you my opinion you asked about.

Since this started a few days back, you could do a system restore using a restore point (if available) dated before this started to hopefully undo the unknown cause and fix this for you. :)

Brink · 16 Mar 2013

Redmerc,

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted. Thank you for posting back with your findings. :)

pbdrmmr · 12 Dec 2013

I tried Option 1 and it worked perfectly for me. Thank you!

newpgm · 17 Jan 2014

Brink said:

Personally, I would not use gadgets anymore since they could pose a security breach risk.

Well Brink if you're not using gadgets anymore guess I'll remove them too. Bummer

, kinda like the weather & CPU gadgets but certainly not worth the risk. Upgraded to IE11 & looks like that is even less gadget friendly. @ least IE11 auto pops the Outlook pswd, wouldn't that be a security risk too?

thanks

Brink · 17 Jan 2014

Hello newpgm, :)

Yeah, it's all moving to apps from the Windows Store in Windows 8/8.1 now. Gadgets have been dropped like a hot potato.

The AutoComplete of the Outlook password would be more of a security risk if someone else has access to your computer and account.

Night Hawk · 28 Oct 2015

That's for sure! Once 8 was out things got very different in a hurry!

Gadgets have been discontinued

Gadgets are no longer available on our website because the Windows Sidebar platform in Windows 7 and Windows Vista has serious vulnerabilities. Microsoft has retired the feature in newer releases of Windows. Gadgets could be exploited to harm your computer, access your computer's files, show you objectionable content, or change their behavior at any time. An attacker could even use a gadget to take complete control of your PC. If you're concerned about the safety of gadgets you’ve downloaded, find out more about gadgets and steps you can take to protect your PC.

Apps do more, and are more secure

Gadgets aren't available anymore. Instead, Windows 10 now comes with lots of apps that do many of the same things and much more. You can get more apps from the Windows Store for everything from games to calendars. Some apps are better versions of the gadgets you love, and many of them are free.
Find out more about apps for Windows

That's what you run smack into at the former downloads page at the Windows site. Gadgets have been discontinued - Microsoft Windows

Solution? Yes there is one! Intended for Windows 8 you may be surprised that one 3rd party element came up with a working option suitable for 7 as well!

When having a folder full of gadgets but could only get the original defaults to work and not able to add any more from the folder I ran into first the "7 sidebar" gadget by chance not when just looking for how to get things working on 7 again but actually tried this out on W10 lately. 7 Sidebar Gadget - Vista-Sidebar for Windows 7

That replaces the need to copy files over from any Vista installation with the replacement gadget form of sidebar seen there. Then when continuing on to see what would work on the newer versions I came across the 8GadgetPack intended for 8, 8.1, and 10 but works like a champ on 7 for anyone having problems adding or wanting additiional gadgets. 8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 8 / 8.1 / 10

Once installed you simply right click on the desktop and select the Windows gadgets option as always but instantly find four screens full of gadgets which still includes the default gadgets that came with 7. The 8GadgetPack also has it's own sidebar that was used here.

Gadgets - Enable or Disable

Option 1 Worked Great