Windows desktop gadgets

Updated: 11/13/2018 by Computer Hope

Formerly known as the Windows sidebar in Windows Vista, Windows desktop gadgets in Windows 7 lets you add additional features to your Windows desktop. For example, a Gadget could show your favorite stock quotes, today's weather, calculator, puzzles, random pictures, and more. In the picture below, on the right side, is an example of what the Windows sidebar looks like in Windows Vista.

Windows Vista sidebar

How do I disable the Windows sidebar?

  1. Right-click in an empty portion of the sidebar and click Properties.
  2. In the Windows sidebar Properties window, uncheck the Start sidebar when Windows starts option and click OK. The next time Windows starts, the sidebar won't be visible.
Tip

If you only want to close the Windows sidebar and have it load the next time Windows starts, instead of clicking the Properties option, click Close sidebar.

Active desktop, Gadget, Operating system terms