A gadget is a specialized program for a narrow purpose, which often provides additional information to the user. This can be a weather forecast, the result of a match of your favorite team, exchange rates, the amount of memory used on the hard disk, etc. Gadgets are very convenient because they are completely customizable and everyone can adjust them to suit their needs and requirements. For Windows operating systems, a side panel of gadgets was created, where you can place all the programs you need to simplify your work at the computer.
Download and install
The most common examples of gadgets today are:
- Google Gadgets;
- Windows SideBar.
Above were the popular gadget panels. You can place any gadget you like on the panel.
For example, you need to be constantly aware of how many degrees Celsius you have in your city. To do this, let's first download side panel, on which we can later place any gadget we like. For example, I will use the Windows SideBar for Windows XP, and I recommend it to you. You can download the gadgets panel on any site of the free software, for example gadgetstyle.ru. After you have downloaded the panel to your computer, you can proceed with the installation.
After starting the installation program, click "Next" and "Install". The program is installed by default in: C: Program FilesWindows Sidebar (this path is for Windows XP) The installation process is automated and ends in a minute. 
At the end, the installer will tell us that the sidebar was installed successfully (or unsuccessfully). 
Customizing the gadgets panel
Well, you can be congratulated - you have installed the gadgets panel. I should note that this panel does not require significant resources, and can be used even on weak computers. At the first launch, a set of standard gadgets will be placed in the panel, which will significantly simplify your work. 
We installed the panel with a specific purpose - to get a weather gadget. To do this, right-click on the panel and select "Add Widgets". 
A window has opened: "Collection of widgets". We are looking for an icon that says "Weather". To activate it, just drag it to the panel where we would like to see it, and - look, everything works! Now you will always be aware of how severe the weather is today. You can freely move gadgets around the desktop as you like. Each gadget has its own personal settings. So, for example, we can change the look of the clock by right-clicking on the dial and selecting the "Options" menu. 
To install an additional gadget, previously downloaded from the Internet, you first need to close the gadgets panel (right click on the SideBar icon on the taskbar and "Exit"). After the panel is closed, just double-click on the downloaded gadget file, and wait about a minute. 
Installation is quiet - you will not be asked if you agree with the license agreement, etc., which is very convenient. After you watched the trailer for the new movie, your gadget has probably already been installed. Now we launch the panel, click on the plus sign at the top and see our newly installed add-ons. 
Thus, the panel can contain a large number of gadgets, which can even be arranged to your liking.
What are gadgets and widgets?
Gadget- these are devices that, as it were, complement other devices. Examples of gadgets include a USB keyboard light, a laptop stand, a mouse holder, and so on. The point is that they seem to be devices in themselves, but without the main device they usually do not make sense.
Also, devices that can "exist" without the main device are now referred to as gadgets. These include tablets, communicators, cameras, players and a bunch of other things "small and necessary".
Widget- this is practically the same as a gadget, only it applies to a computer. These are such special small programs and utilities that most often display some information on the Desktop. That is why they are often called "informers".
Widgets can display a wide variety of information, ranging from a simple clock to the load on the processor. These programs have the extension .gadget
Nowadays, these concepts are often confused, calling widgets gadgets, less often vice versa. This is a little wrong and therefore needs to be enlightened.
How to install a gadget / widget in Windows XP
So, the folder for gadgets is along the path ( drive letter) -> Program Files -> Windows Sidebar -> Gadgets
Now we pay attention to the archive with the gadget. Inside contains a file with the extension .gadget. This archive must be unzipped either to any location, or directly to the created folder.
Now we delete this very file, which we unzipped, and leave everything required files and folders to get something like this:
Now go to the Desktop and in the Sidebar click on +
Our gadget should already be present in the collection (if everything was done correctly) and it only remains to either double-click on it, or press RMB and select "Add":
On a note:
A gadget unzipped to the C: \ Program Files \ Windows Sidebar \ Gadgets folder may not appear in the menu, and if you move it to C: \ Users \ Username \ AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Windows Sidebar \ Gadgets, it displays fine right away.
How to add a gadget / widget in Windows 7
There is no need to put anything extra in the "seven". You just need to download the gadget, unpack it and run the file with the .gadget extension. In response, you can receive a message like:
The gadget will now appear on the Desktop. Unlike XP, where gadgets are displayed only on the right side of the sidebar, in the seven, gadgets can be freely moved around the entire Desktop.
All installed gadgets can be viewed by clicking on free space Desktop and select "Gadgets":
To activate and install the gadget, just drag it to any place:
or double click on it.
If you do not have the "Gadgets" item when you right-click on the Desktop, then follow the path Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn on or off Windows components and put a tick Windows Gadgets Platform.
Gadgets- this is small applications that host and run directly on the desktop. Their functions can be completely different: quick access to settings or functions of other programs (notes, mounting disks in virtual drives), convenient display of data (clock, weather forecast), entertainment (mini-games, slides), and so on.
First appeared in Windows Vista and are present in the "Seven". This article describes Work with gadgets as well installation similar gadgets in Windows 7... It also briefly talks about the capabilities of XP, 8 and 10.
Desktop display
Windows 7 has several standard gadgets that are in the system since installation. You can at any time anchor them on your desktop, or take away from him:
You can move the program on the screen using the mouse, like a normal window. If the application is no longer needed, move the cursor over it and click on the icon that appears in the form of a cross. 
Many gadgets allow you to customize your appearance and functionality. To do this, click on the " Configurations", Which looks like a wrench.
Installing new gadgets in Windows 7
If a standard set you are not satisfied, you can always download new gadgets from various directory sites. It is recommended to download applications carefully so as not to "pick up" any virus. Don't forget to check the downloaded files with antivirus.
There are 2 ways to install gadgets:
- If you downloaded only one .gadget file - just run him and let me make changes into the operation of the system. After that, it will immediately appear on your desktop.
- If a whole folder with multiple files has been downloaded, it is required carry over to the catalog “ C: \\ Program Files \ Windows Sidebar \ Gadgets". After that, you will be able to install the application on the Desktop via the context menu, as described in the previous section.
If you want to completely remove any gadget from your personal computer, you just need send to cart the file responsible for it.
Installation on Windows XP
If you are still using the operating system Windows XP and do not plan to upgrade to more modern versions, you will need a special utility to use the gadgets. It is called Windows Sidebar and is developed by Microsoft specifically for Windows XP... Unfortunately, now it is impossible to download it from the official site, but you can easily download it from various third-party resources.
After installing the application, you will be able to work with gadgets in Windows XP, as in the 7th version: to install new, place them on the Desktop, tune etc.
Installation on Windows 8.1 and 10
Starting with the G8, Microsoft decided to stop using gadgets. Therefore, for their work, additional software is also required. You can use both the official solution from Microsoft and third-party programs.
In the first case, you need to go to the site http://mfi.webs.com/ and download the package MFI for your Windows versions(8 or 10). Mount the downloaded ISO image (in the Top Ten you can do this without third party applications) and in the panel that opens, select " Gadgets».
An alternative option is to install the app from Gadgets revived... It can be downloaded from the developer's official website http://gadgetsrevived.com/download-sidebar/. There are also detailed instructions... Just install the program and you will be able to work with gadgets as in Windows 7.
Related Videos
Gadgets for Windows are absolutely the same regardless of the version of the operating system, they are the same set of files, they are absolutely the same as for Windows XP and so for Windows 7/8 also gadgets for windows 10, the difference lies only in the installation, which means that you can install any gadgets without any problems.
The only difference between installing gadgets for Windows XP and installing gadgets on Windows 7/8/10 is that gadgets for Windows XP are installed ONLY ON THE SIDE PANEL of the Windows Sidebar, with the exception of special mini applications - gadgets that are created as standalone programs and usually have format.exe
How to install gadgets for Windows XP
1. Download any archive with a gadget on our website, for example, this Mouse_Monitor.rar to any temporary folder or directly to your desktop.
2. Go to the Gadgets folder, located C: Program Files \ Windows \ SidebarGadgets, all gadgets are stored here. In this folder, create a folder with the name of our gadget, Mouse Monitor.Gadget IMPORTANT! The folder name must necessarily end like this.
3. Unpack the archive with the gadget into the created folder, Mouse Monitor.Gadget and get a file of approximately the following type MouseMonitor rus.gadget is also an archive, only zip, we also unpack it into the same folder.
4. Now you can delete the archive files and leave only those files that have been unpacked. In the end, everything should look like this.
If everything is done correctly, then we go to the desktop - we press the plus sign at the top of the side panel - we find the shortcut only that installed gadget... you may need to reboot the side Windows panel Sidebar.
How to install gadgets for Windows 7
1. Download any archive with a gadget on our website, for example, such Yandex_Weather.rar to any temporary folder or directly to your desktop.
2. Unpack the archive with the gadget into the same folder, after unpacking it we get the Yandex_Weather.gadget file with a special .gadget extension, this is how the gadget files for Windows 7 are denoted.
3. Now all that remains is to install the gadget. To do this, quickly double-click on the Yandex_Weather.gadget file, after which a window will appear:
If you agree, then click the "Install" button.
The gadget is installed, after a few seconds it will appear on your desktop:
In order to add new gadgets to the desktop, you need to go to a special menu, for this, right-click in the desktop area, select the "Gadgets" item from the drop-down menu.
Although gadgets as we know them now appeared for the first time in the unsuccessful Windows Vista, it was Windows 7 that brought them the real popularity and love of thousands of users. The installation and configuration of these small programs is built into the OS shell by default and a special module is responsible for working with them. named sidebar. Here we will only briefly cover the main points of installation and possible options customization of gadgets functionality.
How to install a gadget
Any gadget compatible with Windows 7 is a file with the extension ".gadget", precisely by this extension operating system understands what type of programs this file belongs to. So, for example, you downloaded a gadget you like and want to install it. You need to launch it as a regular shortcut, then, depending on the presence of a digital signature, Windows may show two types of windows offering to install the launched gadget.
If you are confident about the developer or digital signature is present, you can safely continue the installation. In any case, we recommend that you work with any files downloaded via the Internet only if you are present. antivirus package with up-to-date databases. After installation, the gadget will immediately appear in the upper right corner of the desktop, you can go to its direct configuration or hide it for now.
Working with gadgets through a special panel
Any gadget installed in Windows system 7, can be found in a special panel called sidebar, or as it is officially called, "Desktop Gadgets". To launch this panel, there are several simple ways, choose any of them:
- Right-click on the desktop, in context menu we see the line "gadgets"
- In the control panel we find the module "Desktop Gadgets"
- Start, enter "gadgets" in the search bar and get access to the whole menu related to gadgets
Desktop Gadgets panel or sidebar
So, before us is a panel with all gadgets installed in Windows 7. With its help, you can view a brief description of each of them, find out the developer, use the search bar, if there is an extensive catalog and it is already difficult to search by hand.
Sidebar window supports adding gadget to desktop drag and drop function, you can add multiple copies of the same gadget. From here, you can also delete unnecessary gadgets forever by right-clicking on its icon and selecting "delete".