Gadgets for desktop windows 7 maximum. Download Gadgets for Windows

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Gadgets (Widgets) are one of the most controversial features in a windowed OS. Some users install them and don’t even imagine how they can fully use their PC without their help. Others don’t even know what it is, and cope quite successfully. Are there gadgets for Windows 10, what are they and how to install them? We will discuss the answer to these questions in detail later in the article.

Why did widgets disappear from Windows 10?

With the arrival of first 8 and then the tenth version, this issue was resolved because Microsoft decided to completely remove the function from the system for some reasons:

As unnecessary. A big emphasis in the new systems has been on live tiles, which, in some ways, work the same way as widgets. They display useful information, are updated in real time and look more relevant;
For security reasons. Here the developers, rather, said without any particular reason. Because it is hard to imagine that such a small component of the system as a widget can greatly influence security, and parts of its code can be used by attackers. Although this may have affected performance. You can check this by returning the functionality and .

Now gadgets for Windows 10 cannot be found on the official website.

However, there are no more widgets and the reasons are given. Most users simply agreed and started using the tiles, but there are also those who do not want to deprive themselves of such convenient opportunity and wondered how to install gadgets on Windows 10. For their sake, we tried third party developers, who have created software that copies the functionality of widgets as closely as possible and tells you how to install gadgets on the desktop in Windows 10.

How to install gadgets on the Windows 10 desktop using programs

8GadgetPack

Media center;
Movie Maker;
.NetFramework;
DirectX 9 versions and much more.

It is likely that, by rummaging around on the Internet, you can find other less known solutions, but is it necessary to do this, given that the ones described above allow you to return the functionality that was in 7 and even more.

If you are looking for ways to remove gadgets on Windows 10, then this is done by adding them to the OS.

The word “gadget” comes to us from the English “gadget”, translated as “device, device”. Such a device can be seen in the figure on the left - a fan with a clock, which is connected to the laptop via.

Currently, gadgets include any digital devices whose dimensions allow them to be connected to personal computer, smartphone or put on your hand.

Gadgets are compact and designed to perform specific, highly specialized tasks. Distinctive feature gadgets is that they are new, that is, an unusual, creative solution to certain problems compared to existing standard technologies.

Often gadgets cannot work independently; their main task is to expand functionality devices to which they are connected. I would like to note that calling all “advanced” technological devices, such as, for example, a tablet, gadgets eBook or, it will not be entirely correct.

After all, these devices may well work in offline mode without connecting to any other device. Therefore, on the one hand, they are gadgets, and on the other hand, they do not quite fall under the category of gadgets. This is the confusion associated with the release of a large number of new gadgets and, especially, with escape velocity their appearance.

More specifically, what is a gadget?

I’ll say right away that there is no catalog or list of devices that are gadgets. There are also no standards for gadgets. In general, gadget manufacturers are trying “to the best of their ability,” as they say, “as best they can.”

Here are some examples of gadgets:

iPod,
Mp3 player,
digital camera,
smartphone,
communicator,
a lot of useful, as well as useless, comic, “cool” devices connected to the computer via USB port, and so on.

USB gadgets

These are small devices that connect via a USB port. I do not classify as USB gadgets such devices (which have already become familiar to many) such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, external hard drive, although they all connect to the computer, usually via USB.

I will give examples of USB gadgets that, alas, do not always perform their functionality conscientiously:

mug with USB heater,
USB ashtray,
USB mini-fridge (for example, for cooling one can of drink),
USB keyboard vacuum cleaner for crumbs and dust,
USB heated mouse pad,
USB heated foot mat,
USB heated slippers,
USB backlight for keyboard,
USB finger mouse
USB laptop stand,
USB fan, etc.

iPod as an example of a gadget

I’ll tell you a little more about such a gadget as the iPod - small device to listen to music and audio files in good quality. The idea was to unite HDD with a processor in a compact form for listening to music.

Used to work with iPod iTunes programs, which is pre-installed on your computer for free from the official website. When you connect your iPod to your computer, this program allows you to synchronize music (more precisely, any audio files) on your computer and on your iPod. You can download new music files to your iPod, delete them, and other necessary actions.

It is possible to charge via USB from a computer, then charging the iPod depends on the presence of a computer. Or you can use your own Charger, with which the iPod is charged through a regular 220V outlet.

iPod provides the opportunity not only to listen to music, audio books and audio casts, but also to use an organizer, listen to FM radio, and watch videos. True, I find it difficult to say what can be seen in a video clip on the tiny iPod screen, but if manufacturers have included this feature, it means that someone needs it.

What is a widget?

The well-known formula is computer = hard + software (or in Russian: ). In accordance with this formula, or perhaps according to the Russian tradition, “they wanted the best, but it turned out as usual,” but for some reason on the Internet the word “gadget” is used not only in relation to hard (hardware), but also in relation to software (software).

That is, gadgets are found in various software(there they are also called widgets) in the form of applications that make it easier for users. Widgets provide various types of information, such as:

weather forecast,
Exchange Rates,
time,
date and so on.

Widgets can also be:

alarm clock,
calendar,
notebook,
show the current state of the computer, etc.

In general, widgets are everything that allows you to as soon as possible get the information you personally need without using a browser to search for this information on the Internet.

Widgets are sometimes called informers (Russian version), which more clearly reflects the essence of such small programs. Words borrowed from in English(V in this case– widgets), more accurately express this or that concept, but for “” they often serve as a barrier to the perception of information.

If you were to ask me again what a gadget and a widget are and what they are needed for, then I would answer that a gadget is a small electronic device to add variety and convenience to daily life, and a widget is a small program for quick access to frequently used information. Although there is no consensus yet on the use of the new terms “gadget” and “widget”. Over time, perhaps everything will fall into place.

Widgets can also include applications, small programs, which perform highly specialized functions and expand the capabilities of the main program.

On this site (and on millions of other sites), widgets are all the windows in the side columns of the main text that you are currently reading, for example, the “Search” windows for the site, “Start with a course”, “Popular articles”, “Categories” and etc. Such widget windows on the site are convenient for users to quickly access useful information.

Windows Gadgets

I wonder what Windows developers called mini-applications for quick access to necessary information gadgets. And the domestic search engine Yandex similar applications in relation to its search engine, it calls it widgets. Would you like to see this for yourself? Then take a look at the official Windows and Yandex websites using the links below.

Yandex widget “Weather” on your desktop

Yandex Widgets

If you prefer domestic search engine Yandex, then take a look at the Yandex widgets catalog:

Yandex offers two types of widgets:

1) widgets for Yandex (the subject of widgets is extensive: Auto, Business, Home, Games, Culture, News, Education, Announcements, Work, Entertainment, Sports, Help, Technologies, Tourism),

2) widgets for the Desktop (Search, Weather, Traffic, News, Clock).

Other meanings of the word "gadget"

The term "gadget" has other meanings. For example, the first atomic bomb was called a gadget at one time. In literature, this word is found most often in spy films (the James Bond series). Cartoon fans may remember Inspector Gadget, whose power lies in his collection of gadgets.

It is interesting to know that at the beginning of the 20th century, sailors in the English Navy called gadgets all technical devices whose names they did not remember, did not know, etc. From point of view computer literacy It turns out very convenient if you “in conversation” use the word “gadget” every time you forgot (or don’t know) the name of a new one technical device or the name of the new application. Not entirely competent, but maybe sometimes it’s better than saying, “that thing whose name I don’t know (or don’t remember).”

Without gadgets, life would not be so interesting. Humanity is constantly striving for something new and more perfect, for something that could make its life easier, thereby moving forward new technologies.

To make it interesting for us, I ask you to take part in the voting. If there is no gadget in the voting list below, please write in the comments to the article, and I will add it to the existing list of gadgets.

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With the release of new versions of Windows OS, many functions of the “seven” were undeservedly forgotten by users. Among these forgotten features are desktop gadgets.

Gadgets are special mini-applications for the desktop in Windows 7. Their compactness allows you to place a large number of functions directly on the main computer screen. They are used for quick access to certain functions, monitoring system status, improving appearance home screen, etc.

Adding gadgets is available even to novice users; installing and configuring them is not difficult. Below we will take a closer look at the launch and personalization features for specific user data of program elements.

First of all, convenience of this instrument is that it is virtually always at the user's fingertips. You can open and install all the gadgets available in the system as follows:

To see all the elements available for adding, you just need to right-click context menu on an empty area of the desktop. Here, among all the items, select “Gadgets”.
To install any gadget, click on it right click, and select “Add”.

On a note! The system will open a window for a set of gadgets installed on this moment on the computer. You can find and download new ones here using the corresponding function below.
The selected gadget will appear on your desktop in the place you clicked on first.
In the future, you can drag it to any area of the screen.
You can also open the gadget collection by finding it in the list of programs in the main Start menu.
You can remove a gadget from your desktop by simply clicking the “cross” in the right top corner the element itself.

On a note! In order to completely remove an unwanted gadget from your computer, without the possibility of re-locating it on the desktop, you need to reopen the gadget collection and right-click and select “Delete”.

How to download additional gadgets

You can download and add new gadgets in addition to the preinstalled ones from various sources - either using official store gadgets from Microsoft.

In order to download an item from the official gadget store from Microsoft, you need to:

In the future, the algorithm is as follows:

Read also useful and interesting information with two in simple ways, in the article -

Settings and other manipulations with gadgets

Each gadget has its own set of settings for personalizing display or setting functions, which can be opened by clicking the “Options” icon (image of a wrench) under the close button of the gadget.

However, there are also common basic settings its position and display directly on the desktop. You can call this setup menu by right-clicking on a gadget already installed on your desktop.

Here you can:

Setting example special parameters for a gadget showing system status and performance.

Disable all gadgets on your computer

In some situations, gadgets can pose a danger to a computer, since they have vulnerabilities when connecting to the Internet and working in other types of networks.

If the user has concerns about the quality of protection of his device, the use of gadgets should be stopped, and the elements themselves should be completely deactivated to eliminate threats.

In order to completely disable the use of any gadgets on your computer, you must:

Call, using the combination “Win (OS icon) + R”, the “Run” line, and write “gpedit.msc” in it.
A special editing window will open group policy. Here we open the category “Administrative Templates”, in it – “ Windows components" Among all the standard software components, select “Desktop Gadgets”.
A mini settings window will open various features and gadget access. Opening double click"Disable desktop gadgets" option.
The system will launch another window in which you can activate this parameter by selecting “Enable” and clicking “OK”. After this, installation and use of desktop gadgets will be impossible.

Recovering deleted gadgets

In other cases, it may be necessary to restore an accidentally or intentionally deleted gadget.

You can restore a lost gadget in this way:

Video - How to install, remove or disable gadgets in Windows 7

Widgets on the Windows 7 or 10 desktop provide users with great amount possibilities, allowing you to rationally configure your workspace. In general, in the Microsoft system they are called gadgets. And before we get to how to put widgets on your Windows 7 or 10 desktop, you need to know some information.

The fact is that this function is available by default only for users of the seven from the Home Basic to the Professional version. But dozens of users will have to work a little hard to install gadgets, since they will be replaced in this version operating system live tiles have arrived. Essentially, they perform the same function as widgets. Therefore, try using the desktop conditions of Windows 10 first. If you still want to try something new, then we will tell you how to do it.

Windows 7

So, if you are a fan of desktop widgets and a user of any version of the operating system Windows systems 7, then you are lucky. Because it will be very easy for you to install gadgets: just right-click anywhere on your desktop (PC), select “Gadgets” and move any one you like to the PC. It couldn’t be simpler, could it?

Windows 10

Dozens of users will have to resort to additional third party applications. The most popular today is Windows program Desktop Gadgets, which can be downloaded from http://gadgetsrevived.com/download-sidebar/. After which you will have the same tab as the Seven users. That is, the instructions below will be the same. Another application, but with more functionality called 8GadgetPack. It is available for download on the official website of the developer http://8gadgetpack.net/. Compared to the previous program, this one has not been fully translated into Russian. But if this is not a problem for you, then this download option will be better.

Results

Now you know how to enable widgets on your desktop (for example, weather). The system includes the following gadgets:

Currency. Provides information about the exchange rates of major currencies in real time. That is, everything you see in the zone of the golden map with the world map is the latest information at the moment. The gadget requires an Internet connection to operate.
Puzzle. This is a cool mini-game, the goal of which is to assemble a puzzle from a picture. The default is a colorful picture with a bird. You need to move the squares so as to restore the original drawing. In the widget settings you can select any of eleven images. After you start moving the squares, a countdown will begin at the top. Then you can compete with friends and set your own records.
News headlines. For this gadget to work, you also need an Internet connection. It shows data from RSS feeds to which the system user has subscribed. It turns out that from now on you will always be in the know latest news, the subject of which you choose yourself.
CPU indicator. Here the CPU is CPU. The widget shows its load as a percentage. That is, you can track how much your computer or laptop is clogged and even evaluate which programs are loading the processor the most when launching and running.

Calendar. The essence of this widget does not need to be explained: it is just a nice calendar that shows the months, day of the week, year (in general, everything you need so as not to get lost in time).
Weather. The gadget provides latest information about the weather where you are. In the settings, you can either set the desired city yourself, or configure automatic location detection.
Slide show. Essentially, this widget is a kind of photo frame on the Windows 7 or 10 desktop. In the settings, you can set the time interval at which the pictures will change, and also select a library of images for the slide show.
Well, the last thing is the clock. Oddly enough, they show the time. In the parameters, you can choose one of eight types of clocks that best suits the design of your desktop.

Have fun, dear friends! Don't forget to share your opinion in the comments: tell us which widget is the most useful for you. For many, this is the Weather gadget.