Users could easily add, remove, and arrange gadgets on their desktop to suit their preferences.

In the later years, third-party websites started releasing new gadgets.

But with the advent of Windows 8.1 and 10, apps have replaced gadgets.

Just like Apple Store and Google Playstore, there is Microsoft store to download apps.

It is important the source and download links of these gadgets is important.

It can have a potential impact on your system performance and security.

Lets see those gadgets which are available by default when gadget platform is enabled.

you’re free to access these trusted and stable gadgets from Control Panel or right-click Desktop.

The Weather widget displays an error that it Cannot connect to service.

When you use the gear icon to change the controls and enter location, it does not work out.

Navigate to the following path.

%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows Live\Services\Cache\Config.xml

Just enter the above path in Run dialog box or in Windows Explorer.

I used the MSN Weather gadget as a substitute for the default weather widget.

Otherwise you’re able to download the same gadget from reputable sources which store the working versions.

As like before, many of them are with some problems, but have features which are useful.

HUD Time

The default clock and widget in Windows 7 can get boring sometimes.

This widget is useful if you want to display the current date and time in heads up display style.

This clock gadget is transparent and works with any jot down of desktop background.

Using the controls menu, you could change the color of the font to suit your current background.

Weather Underground

It provide accurate information for local weather conditions.

The data reports are from a community who maintain their own backyard weather stations.

AccuWeather Forecast

This was working 2 years ago and should have no problems.

This is a good alternative for the default weather widget in Windows 7.

This will show weather data only in locations of America.

It does not other WordWide countries.

The unit of measure can be changed to English or Metric.

you might key in the zip code or place to get the weather details.

Weather Monitor

It helps in tracking weather condition of a particular city.

There are 7 tabs in the options to suit your needs.

you oughta find your location code on the first tab.

For example, my cite code is ASI|IN|IN002|VISAKHAPATNAM.

You will get details like Pressure, Humidity, Visibility, UV Index, Wind speed and Precipitation.

it’s possible for you to change the units if you like.Sunrise and Sunset can be seen.

Weather details for the next 10 days can also be seen.

Computer Status Red

This is an useful gadget to show the details of your system configuration.

It will display CPU, RAM usage.

But the details are so small, that you have to particularly look at it.

it’s possible for you to also find the hard disk space usage.

It will also display your Wi-Fi connection.

One major feature is that you might select one of the different radio stations to play while you work.

Toxic Gadgets

These are a set of 4 gadgets.

The computer status widget will show the system details like RAM, CPU, disk space etc.

The number of items in the recycle bin are also shown.

There are more number of radio stations than the previous gadget.

The buffering will take a little time to hear the audio.

Sound quality is not good.

Clock widget will display time and date.

data pipe Meter and Top 5 are the other gadgets.

Dictionary

This is an useful grammar tool.

You enter a word and get its meaning instantaneously.

The Thesaurus dictionary is busted as intended.

It is asking for Internet connection, though the computer is connected.

Pronunciation and parts of speech can also be seen.

It will automatically play the songs.

There are two parameters.

Start playing on startup.

you’ve got the option to change to next song, just like any other media player.

you’re able to pause, play and increase the sound.

Maomo

This is a fun gadget which is useful to de-stress yourself.

It is a small cat kind of icon waving at you.

This will make you happier if you like pets.

It is a Chinese app and does not have any major options.

There is nothing to play with it, as nothing happens when you tap the pet icon.

Renamon Desktop Gadget

These Japanese characters in the gadget will make you adventurous.

They are more like the pokemon cartoons we watch on TV.

There are about 15 images to display.

it’s possible for you to also set your own image as photo slider.

The docked and undocked image size can be set in percentage.

These look like rabbit character and are big in size to be visible.

Information about Windows 7 Gadgets

The message from Microsoft is clear.

They are not going to supportWindows 7 Gadgetsin the next OS.

The message can be seen below.

To get started developing modern apps, go to Windows Dev Center.

According to TheWindowsClub.com, the actual reason behind removing the sidebar and gadgets was different.

How to deactivate the Windows 7 Gadgets & Sidebar Manually?

Open Control Panel > Uninstall Programs > Turn Windows Features on or off.

Here uncheck theWindows Gadget Platformand click OK.

This will turn off the Windows Gadget Platform and the Gadgets.

You may have to reboot.

Now if you right snag the desktop, you will see that the Gadget option does not exist.

Windows Desktop Gadgets are a sort of mini-applications which are based on CSS, Script and HTML.

you’re able to also useWindows 7 gadgetsto display a picture slide show or view continuously updated headlines.

A Windows SideShow Gadget is one written by programming against the Windows SideShow Platform API.

In Windows 7 you will not find Windows SideShow in the Control Panel, unlike in Vista.

But the SideShow icon appears when you install a compatible machine.

While in Windows Vista, the Sidebar starts multiple instances of thesidebar.exeprocess.