I can not install gadgets for windows 7. How to install gadgets. A simple and pleasant alternative

Gadgets for Windows OS are able not only to promptly provide access to various system information, but also partially facilitate the work at the computer. But Windows 10 lacks built-in gadgets, which forces users to download and install third-party apps and programs.

What are gadgets in Windows

The word "gadget" in English means "gadget". I mean something (a device or program) that makes work easier or opens up new opportunities in a particular area. In Windows, gadgets are small system applications that can add new elements to personalization settings, provide various information about the processes and state of the PC, and slightly expand the functionality of the OS. Widgets are a kind of gadgets that feature a graphical interface adapted to perform a strictly defined set of functions.

Reasons for the lack of built-in gadgets in Windows 10

Also in windows versions 8 Microsoft ditched built-in gadgets for its operating systems... According to the developers, a number of serious reasons pushed them to this step, namely:

  • rebranding of the Windows OS design: the appearance of a "tiled menu" (dynamic tiles), which is partly intended to replace the usual set of widgets;
  • improving the security of personal data: according to Microsoft representatives, thanks to built-in gadgets, attackers are able to obtain almost any information they are interested in about a particular user;
  • a sharp reduction in the number of users using built-in gadgets (widgets).

It would seem that gadget lovers were provided with an alternative in the form of dynamic tiles, but such a replacement turned out to be far from equal. The main problem is that dynamic tiles can be positioned exclusively in the Start menu without the possibility of transferring to the desktop. Therefore, some users prefer third-party programscapable of installing familiar gadgets on a PC.

"Tile menu" can be customized (change the number and size of tiles)

Popular gadget installers for Windows 10

On the Internet there is a considerable number of programs for installing gadgets under Windows 10. Let's consider the most popular and proven ones.

8GadgetPack

The main advantage of the program is the large number of offered widgets, as well as their advanced settings, including, in particular, autostart, scaling and assignment of hot keys. To download and install the program, you must:

  1. Go to the developer's official website and click on the Download button.
    If you scroll down the page, you can find detailed instructions for installing the program (in English)
  2. After downloading the installer, open it and click the Install button.
    The program, unfortunately, does not support Russian
  3. At the end of the installation process, 8GadgetPack will automatically open a window of available widgets.
    To place the desired widget on the desktop, click on it right click mouse and select "Add"

Video: How to Add a Widget to the Homescreen Using 8GadgetPack

Of all the widgets available in 8GadgetPack, the most interesting are:

  • All CPU Meter - a widget that provides detailed information about the load on the processor and RAM; If you have a multi-core processor, then the widget will show information about each core separately
  • Clipboarder - this widget saves all the elements (text, media files) that got into the OS "clipboard" by pressing CTRL + C, and also allows you to find and paste any of the saved elements; The widget has no limit on the number of saved items
  • Unit Converter is a universal converter of all known calculation units (mass, temperature, speed, time, power, etc.). The only drawback of the widget is the lack of support for the Russian language

Gadgets revived

Another name for this program is Desktop Gadgets Installer. It allows you to fully integrate all standard Windows 7 widgets with the "ten"... The algorithm for downloading and installing the program is as follows:

  1. Go to the developer's official website and click on the Download the Desktop gadgets installer line.
    To download the program, go to the DOWNLOAD SIDEBAR section
  2. After downloading and running the installation file, select the program language and click Next.
    Select the installation language (the program also supports Russian)
  3. Wait for the installation process to complete.
    To open the list of available widgets, right-click on the desktop and select "Gadgets"

Video: How to Add Widgets with Gadget Revived

Gadget Revived provides only a standard set of widgets for the Windows 7 version, so there are no unique and unusual applications in it.

Missed Features Installer 10 (MFI10)

The program is a whole complex system applications for Windows 10... It includes not only a set of desktop gadgets, but also additional tools for customizing the Start menu and a package of downloadable scripts for modifying the registry, configuring autorun and setting parameters for installing third-party software.

MFI10 is the way iSO disc, to open it you need a CD / DVD drive emulator program, for example, Daemon tools... The ISO file size is about 1.5 gigabytes.

To download and install the program, you must:

  1. Go to the official website of CHIP magazine and download the MFI10 autoloader by clicking on the Download button.
    MFI10 software only has an English version
  2. After saving the startup file, run it and wait until the ISO image of the program is downloaded.
    Before starting to download the ISO file, make sure that you have enough free space on your hard disk (at least 1.3 GB)
  3. When the boot process is complete, mount the ISO image using any CD / DVD drive emulator (eg Daemon Tools). The main menu of the MFI10 will open. Click the Gadgets button to add gadgets to your desktop
  4. To add desktop widgets, click on the Gadgets button.
  5. The installed gadget package can be found in the Desktop Gadgets category of the Control Panel preferences window.
    List installed gadgets cannot be found through the search engine windows string 10

MFI10, like Gadget Revived, provides users with only a standard set of widgets from Windows 7.


To search for and add new gadgets, you can use the Find Gadgets Online tool in the lower right corner of the window

If you only want to add gadgets to your desktop, then the author of the article advises to abandon MFI10 in favor of Gadget Revived. The fact is that both programs offer an identical set of standard gadgets from Windows 7, but Gadget Revived consumes several times less resources. operating system... In addition, in order to use MFI10, you must permanently store its ISO image on your hard drive.

XWidget

The main advantage of this program is that it is actually a platform for creating your own widgets. To start using the program, you should:

  1. Go to the official website and click the Download button.
    The program is universal and suitable for any Windows OS
  2. After starting the installer, select the desired installation components, then click the "Next" button.
    Besides the program itself, you can also install free version antivirus Avast
  3. At the end of the installation process, the program will start automatically.
    To open the program menu, you need to double-click on the XWidget icon on the Windows Quick Access Toolbar

The most interesting widgets available by default for XWidget are:

  • EkerSystem - a simplified version of the "Task Manager" with the output of information about the load of system resources (double-clicking on the widget opens the usual "Windows Task Manager"); The widget shows information about the consumption of resources such as the processor, rAM, virtual memory and loading the cache
  • EkerSearch - a convenient and compact Google search bar (when you enter a request, a page opens in a browser);
    You can pin the search bar on top of all windows for permanent access to it
  • EkerNotes - Internet speed counter: shows information about both outgoing traffic and incoming traffic. The blue arrow indicates the upload rate, and the green arrow indicates the data reception rate

If you want to get creative with the design of desktop widgets, then the author of the article recommends using the built-in editor of the XWidget program. To enter it, you just need to right-click on any widget and in context menu select the "Change" option. The capabilities of the built-in editor are varied: you can change already installed widgets or create your own widget "from scratch". There is support for importing media files created in graphic editors (for example, in Photoshop), and a "script code" editor (for creating an automatic algorithm for the widget). The disadvantages of the editor are the confusing navigation system and "broken" Russification (hieroglyphs instead of letters).


When saving a new widget, its name must be entered exclusively in English

AveDesk

The program does not require installation (unpacked from a zip file), is not demanding on system resources, has a simple design, and an interface in Russian. To start using the program, you need.

Gadgets - this is small applications that host and run directly on the desktop. Their functions can be completely different: fast access to the 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 job with gadgets as well installation similar gadgets in Windows 7... The features of XP, 8 and 10 are also briefly discussed.

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 with the mouse, like a normal window. If you no longer need the application, hover 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 the standard set does not suit you, 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 system. After that, it will immediately appear on your desktop.
  • If a whole folder with multiple files was 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: 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 version of Windows (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

Here is a selection of my tips on how to optimize Windows 7. Most of the recommendations are relevant for systems that have insufficient graphics card, memory and processor.

Gadget (English gadget - device) - an original, non-standard technical device. AT software gadget is a small application that provides additional informationsuch as weather forecasts or exchange rates. Typical examples gadgets in the software are a gadget for the sidebar in the Windows 7 operating system. To select the desired gadget, you need to go to " Collection of desktop gadgets. "There are two ways to do this."

  1. Start - All Programs and select ""
  2. Through the Control Panel. Start - Control Panel -.

A window will open with available gadgets.

To add a gadget to the desktop, select the one you like with the left mouse button, and add with the right

Now the gadget you need on your desktop

You can now add other gadgets as well. If the presented gadgets are not enough for you, then you can download them additionally from the Internet. To do this, in the Desktop Gadgets Collection, select "Find gadgets on the Internet".

After you have selected "", the Microsoft "Computer Personalization" window will open. On this page we find the item "Desktop Gadgets" and also select " Other desktop gadgets".

All that remains is to install the gadget you like. You can install other gadgets that the Internet offers, but this is at your own peril and risk. If you want the desired gadget to be constantly on top of all windows, then press the right mouse button, and check the ""

Now the gadget will always be on top of the windows, the place of the gadget can be changed simply by moving it with the mouse. To cancel "" just uncheck this item.



To the operating room windows system 7 is built in a unique way to add gadgets to the desktop without using various third-party software.

Desktop gadgets like widgets on mobile phonerunning on Android. They are installed in a similar manner and perform similar functions. For example, you don't have to open an Internet browser to find out the weather forecast for tomorrow - this information is displayed in gadgets. But not all of them work without an internet connection.

Gadgets for Windows 7 really reduce the time you spend looking for information, as well as allow you to get many other information indicators about the operation of the PC, shutdown and restart it, and much more.
In order to add gadgets to your desktop you need to:

1. Open " Control Panel».


2. Set the view to " Small icons».


3. Next, find the function " Desktop gadgets". Click on it.


4. The " Collection of gadgets», Which contains a list of gadgets available to you for placing on your desktop.


As you can see in the image above, by default, I have 4 pages of different gadgets installed, any of which can be placed on the desktop. Select the one you need and double-click on it with the left mouse button and it will be added to the desktop, or right-click on it and in the context menu click “ Add to».


You can also find a gadget using the search bar or download the missing one using the button " Find gadgets online».


Let's add two gadgets as an example: Clock and Calculator. This is how they will look on the desktop.

Today something shot me in the head, bounced and fell to the floor. It turned out that it was a question of how to install gadgets in Windows 7 for the desktop, the answer to which I will try to disclose in this article. It will also describe how to enable and disable gadgets in Windows 7. I also consider it my duty to inform you that windows gadgets are a major source of vulnerabilities, and Microsoft has discontinued support for them indefinitely.

  • What are gadgets in Windows 7?

    If you found this article, I think you know what gadgets in Windows 7 are, or, as they are also called, widgets, and you do not need to explain their purpose. In short, gadgets are programs that turn your desktop into a dashboard for different types information from hours to latest news... So...

    So, let's move on to the answer to the question of how to install gadgets in Windows 7. To open a menu with gadgets available for installation, you need to right-click on a free area of \u200b\u200bthe desktop and select "Gadgets" from the menu that appears.

    A window will appear with icons of installed and ready-to-activate gadgets.


    There are three ways to add a gadget to your desktop:

    • you can drag the gadget icon from the window to the desktop
    • you can double-click on the icon of the required gadget
    • you can right-click on the gadget icon and select "Add" in the menu that appears

    How to install clock gadget on desktop for Windows 7?

    Let's on simple example Let's take a look at how to install a clock gadget on your desktop for Windows 7.

    Where to install gadgets in Windows 7?

    If you are passionate about how you want to install a gadget from a third-party developer, not related to Microsoft, then i advise you to read my warning again at the very beginning of this article. For the brave madmen, I am ready to reveal the secret of where to install gadgets in Windows 7, but blame yourself if they break you down, steal credit card data or will start mining using your workstation without your participation.

    Install gadgets in Windows 7, those that you downloaded for free without registration and SMS in the form of an archive with a folder, should be in a folder at:

    • C: \\ Program Files \\ Windows Sidebar \\ Gadgets
    • or like mine

    • C: \\ Program Files (x86) \\ Windows Sidebar \\ Gadgets.

    If you did not find any gadgets at this address, start a search through the files of your operating system and enter the word "Gadget"... From the folders found, you will need the one that contains all the pre-installed windows gadgets 7 from Microsoft. I personally have a list of the names of folders with gadgets as follows:

    Preinstalled Windows 7 Gadgets from Microsoft

    • Calendar.Gadget
    • Clock.Gadget
    • CPU.Gadget
    • CPU.Gadget
    • PicturePuzzle.Gadget
    • RSSFeeds.Gadget
    • SlideShow.Gadget
    • Weather.Gadget

    How do I remove a gadget from the Windows 7 desktop?

    To remove a gadget from the desktop windows desktop 7, just hover the mouse cursor over it and click on the one that appears in the right upper corner gadget with a cross or the letter "X".

    3 ways to disable gadgets in Windows 7

    As I noted at the very beginning of the article, gadgets are no longer supported by Microsoft due to their unreliability in terms of information security windows user... Simply put, they can be used to hack and retrieve your data.

    It is clear that for safety, the first step is to protect yourself from using any gadgets on your desktop. The first question that arises when you want to protect your data from the threats associated with this case - how to disable gadgets in Windows 7to prevent them from being easily used for malicious purposes? This can be done in three ways.

    # 1 - disable the Windows Gadgets Platform component

    To do this, follow these steps:

    # 2 How to disable gadgets - configure group policy

    This method will work for you if you have administrator rights. Without the rights to change group policies, you won't be able to do anything. The algorithm is as follows.


    # 3 How to disable gadgets - edit the registry

    Attention! You should use this method at your own risk and only if you have experience editing and restoring registry entries.


    How to enable gadgets in Windows 7?

    After we have covered all the procedures for turning off gadgets in this article, the answer to the question of how to turn on gadgets in Windows 7 should be obvious to you.

    Now that you know how to install Windows 7 desktop gadgets and how to turn them off, I hope you can guess that in order to turn them on, you need to check all the places and settings where they can be turned off and fix them so that they were involved.

    I hope you found the answer to your question in this article, but if not, please ask it in the comments.