Installing and configuring gadgets for the Windows 10 desktop

Widgets in Windows first appeared in Vista, they were later improved in Windows 7, but with the release of Service Pack 1 (an updated version of the OS for this edition) they were completely “cut out” from the system. According to official data, this was done for the purpose of security and protection of confidential data.

In this article, we will figure out how things are with widgets in Windows 10 and how they can be added to the system.

Can you tell a cringe from a crash? Take this fun test and find out!

What is a gadget for Windows

Among Russian-speaking users, the name “widget” is more often used, in Western countries - “gadget”. Using widgets, you can add a digital clock, mini-notepad, calendar, calculator, weather notifications, or just beautiful animation to the system. Widgets do not require installation, like a regular program.

There are no standard widgets for Windows 10. They were also not added to the system because through these mini-utilities, fraudsters can gain remote control of the device. In fact, the risk of such an outcome is minimal, since any modern antivirus has an algorithm for recognizing such fraudulent software.

Removing gadgets

If gadgets are not used every day, you can remove them from Startup.

1. Using the search bar, launch the Task Manager.

2. Go to the “Startup” tab and look for the required line in the window with application names. Click on it and then click the “Disable” button.

If the application will no longer be used at all, it is recommended to remove it from the system.

1. Using Search, find and launch the Control Panel.

2. Find the “Programs” group at the bottom of the window and select “Uninstall a program.” A similar grouping of tools is typical for the “Category” viewing mode. If the viewing mode is configured in the form of large or small icons, you need to click on the “Programs and Features” section.

3. We will be taken to a window that allows us to delete or change programs. Select the desired application and click the “Delete” button.

4. We follow the instructions and confirm the actions, changing the settings if necessary so that the application is completely removed with all components.

Popular gadget installation programs for Windows 10

Third-party developers have released many free programs that add gadget support to all current versions of Windows. Some of them only have a built-in small list of widgets, others support the ability to create and add your own. The most popular among such applications, according to users themselves, are:

• 8gadgetpack;
• Gadgets revived;
• Missed features installer 10 mfi10;
• Xwidget;
• Avedesk;
• Unit conventer;
• Multi meter;
• Hud time;
• Launch control;
• Driveinfo;
• My weather;
• 7 sidebars.

Super test on the topic “Money” and how can you be friends with it?

Unit converter

Confused about units of information, energy or area, but do you often need the associated calculations for work/study? In this case, pay attention to Unit Conventer - the best gadget designed for converting various quantities. In addition to those mentioned, Unit Conventer also works with temperature, mass, length, time, pressure and a number of other parameters.

Widget “8gadgetpack”

A free program for Windows 8, 10 that adds full support for widgets, like in Vista. After installation, just call up the context menu on the desktop, select “8gadgetpack” - a list of all available gadgets will open.

There is a calendar, a mini-gallery, different variations of the clock, system load and WiFi indicators, a weather widget, and an icon of the remaining battery level. There are about 20 mini-utilities in total.

The only drawback: not all of them are translated into Russian. But you can install additional widgets (simply by opening a file with the .gadget extension in the program). The key advantage of the program is the minimal load on the system.

Widget “Gadgets revived”

The application is similar in functionality to 8gadgetpack, but by clicking on “Find on the Internet” in the list of gadgets, the official developer forum will open. And there, many users post additional widgets for this program.

Among the advantages: all standard gadgets are fully translated into Russian. But it loads the system a little more than 8gadgetpack. Minimum additional settings. The user can only drag and drop mini-utility icons to any place on the desktop. But changing the size of widgets or “pinning” them to the taskbar won’t work.

The program is completely free.

What instrument are you? Take the test and find out

Gadget “Missed features installer 10 mfi10”

This program is used to restore cut functions in Windows 8 and 10, and also allows you to quickly install updated DirectX, enable Aero desktop effects, or add support for additional fonts. And you can use it to restore gadgets, like in Windows Vista and 7.

Advantages of the program: an intuitive interface, as well as a wide range of supported widget functions. You can even restore Windows Movie Maker version 6 or, for example, disable the Specter algorithm, which theoretically allows you to increase processor performance by 10 - 15% (but makes the device “vulnerable” to some types of viruses).

Also, Missed features installer 10 does not require installation. Launches as a portable application.

How to Place Windows 10 Widgets on Your Desktop

Desktop Gadgets were useful widgets that could be added to the Windows Vista and Windows 7 desktop to improve productivity. They're long gone, but don't worry—you can add desktop widgets to Windows 10 using these third-party tools.

Wait, what are Windows 10 widgets and gadgets?

It may seem hard to understand all these years later, but desktop gadgets were once extremely popular. Capable of displaying time, weather, notes, and even CPU speed, these widgets were essentially mini-apps.

Like any Windows application, desktop gadgets can be positioned around the desktop, but mostly on the right side. They will also hide behind your main applications, acting as part of your desktop background.

Quite useful, right?

Unfortunately, with the advent of Windows 8, these Windows widgets were abandoned. Suddenly you couldn't instantly check the time in your Hong Kong office or get an RSS feed on your desktop. Instead, such information was consolidated into Live Tiles in Windows 8. This continued in Windows 10 with the integration of improved notifications and Cortana.

The elimination of Windows desktop widgets in Windows 8 makes sense in retrospect. After all, the desktop was replaced by the start screen. But with the return to a dominant desktop in Windows 10, widgets, gadgets, and similar tools can be restored.

Why did Microsoft kill off Windows desktop widgets and gadgets?

The main reason why Microsoft decided to abandon Windows gadgets after Windows 7 was due to security.

In 2012, Microsoft announced that vulnerabilities in its gadgets could allow remote code execution, in which a remote attacker could gain access to your computer. He noted that:

• "Some legitimate gadgets... may contain vulnerabilities"
• You may be tricked into installing a “malicious gadget.”

Using both attacks, a hacker could run code under your account profile (potentially opening backdoors to other malware) or even take over your entire computer. A fix was released to disable the Windows Sidebar and gadgets in Windows Vista and Windows 7. A few weeks later, Windows 8 was released and the gadgets were no longer used.

How to add widgets in Windows 10

These security issues have long been fixed. So, there's no reason to let hackers limit your productivity. It's time to add new widgets to your Windows 10 desktop.

There are currently four well-known tools available that allow you to add widgets to Windows 10, replicating the capabilities of Windows gadgets.

• Widget launcher
• Windows Desktop Gadgets
• 8GadgetPack
• Rainmeter

Keep reading to learn how to add widgets to Windows 10 using these tools.

Get new gadgets on Windows 10 with Widget Launcher

Available in the Microsoft Store, the Widget Launcher allows you to place widgets on the Windows 10 desktop. Unlike some other widget tools, these gadgets have a modernized look that's suitable for Windows 10.

However, the widget launcher remains as easy to use as classic widgets or desktop gadgets in Windows Vista and 7.

1. Install the application
2. Launch widget launcher
3. Click the widget you want to use
4. Place the widget anywhere on your Windows 10 desktop.

Although the main application appears to be "closed", it continues to run on the taskbar.

As with Windows Vista widgets, when you hover your mouse over a Windows 10 widget, an X button appears to close it. You can even see a settings gear for customization. For example, the Windows 10 Widget Launcher clock widget allows you to select your location. The weather widget also uses your location and lets you choose Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Although Widget Launcher is free, it offers in-app purchases for additional widget types. These include news feed, picture gallery, internet speed test and other desktop widgets for Windows 10.

(Note that earlier versions of the app did not allow individual widgets to be placed on the homescreen, which resulted in some poor review scores.)

Download: Widget Launcher (Free, with in-app purchases)

Get classic Windows widgets with Windows Desktop Gadgets

A popular, easy and simple solution is Windows desktop gadgets. This solution is designed to work with multiple languages, which you can add in the installation wizard.

To use Windows desktop gadgets:

1. Unzip DesktopgadgetsRevived-2.0.exe from the downloaded ZIP archive.
2. Double click to install
3. Once completed, right-click on your desktop and select Gadgets.
4. You'll see that gadgets have been added to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization, where you can add them to your desktop by clicking and dragging them into place.

Related: Windows 10 Setup Guide

Once installed, you will see that Windows Desktop Gadgets are essentially replacements for the original gadgets. As you'd expect, clicking the gear icon in the corner will give you access to settings, allowing you to resize and customize each gadget.

Download: Windows Desktop Gadgets (Free)

Add widgets to Windows 10 with 8GadgetPack

Another lightweight option, 8GadgetPack is free and allows users to launch desktop widgets on Windows 10.

To use 8GadgetPack, follow the link and download the MSI file from the link on the right side of the page. After:

1. Double click the 8GadgetPack MSI file to install.
2. Once completed, launch 8GadgetPack.
3. Click the + button to open the list of gadgets.
4. Drag your favorite gadget to your desktop

Although a Windows Vista-style sidebar is included, gadgets are not limited to this place. You will notice that 8GadgetPack is very similar to Windows desktop gadgets. Indeed, they both seem to support the original Windows Vista gadget capabilities.

Again, each gadget has an options screen. Here you can set colors, location and other details to customize the gadget for your purposes. When you're done, you should have a selection of useful Windows 10 widgets that will boost your productivity!

Download: 8GadgetPack (Free)

Get modern Windows 10 widgets with Rainmeter

If these screenshots of old desktop gadgets don't quite float your boat, you have another option. Rainmeter is a tool for customizing your Windows desktop.

Among its features is the ability to display information on the Windows 10 desktop in the form of widgets. These include clocks, real-time equipment statistics, current and forecast weather, and more. You can basically use Rainmeter to display everything that old Windows gadgets do, but with added style.

Now, if you are happy with the above mentioned gadget options, then by all means stick with them. Rainmeter opens up a whole new world of installation and customization options. But if you're looking for Windows widgets to improve your productivity, be warned: Setting up Rainmeter can be time-consuming. Whatever changes you make, keep them as simple as possible.

Rainmeter's default theme, illustro, gives you the widgets pictured above and a few more to get you started. Alternatively, use the amazing Win10 widget set included with Rainmeter 4.0.

Download: Rainmeter for Windows 10 (Free)

Download: Win10 + Rainmeter Widgets for Windows 10 (Free)

Which Windows 10 app widgets will you use?

Even though Windows 10 doesn't come with desktop widgets, you can still install them.

Each of the solutions listed here is worth trying and may help improve your productivity. For example, using a clock set to a different time zone can be invaluable when collaborating with people overseas, or simply checking to see if your aunt in New Zealand is awake before you call. You can also keep an eye on the weather using these weather widgets for Windows.

So, desktop gadgets can still be added to Windows 10. Who knew? However, this shouldn't come as a big surprise. Various “lost” features can be restored using third-party applications. For example, Aero Glass software restores the glass effect of Vista and Windows 7 in Windows 10.

Post Views: 15

Widgets from “Xwidget”

One of the most “powerful” programs for adding widgets to the system. It is extremely popular in Europe and America, so users themselves have developed over 1,500 different gadgets for it.

There is no need to download or install widgets. It is enough to launch the program, wait for the database to update and select which widgets the user wants to add to his desktop.

From widgets: there are music players, mini-utilities for listening to online radio, and even an analyzer of stock prices on the largest financial exchanges in the world.

Advantages: you can change the size of widgets at your discretion and “attach” them to the edges of the desktop. And this application also provides full support for multiple workspaces in Windows 10. That is, the user can place a different set of gadgets on each table.

Another application can be installed directly from Steam. But it's not free (about $3).

Among the shortcomings: most widgets are not Russified. And there are too many of them. You can spend several hours reviewing the entire library of gadgets. And many of them are repeated in the list.

Take the test on the topic “Legends of the 90s”, remember which of these you had?

Creating “notes” (sticky notes) in Windows 10

Although Windows 10 does not have built-in gadgets, it still has one famous application from Windows 7 - Notes. In Windows 10 it's called Sticky Notes. To add a widget to your desktop, you must:

1. Open the “Start - All Apps” menu and, scrolling down the list to the English letter S, click on the Sticky Notes application.

   
   You can also open Sticky Notes using the Windows search bar (search for Sticky Notes)

2. The Notes widget will automatically appear on your desktop.

   
   You can change the size of a sticker by stretching its borders (by holding down the left mouse button)

3. To add another note, just click on the “+” icon.

   
   To change the color of the sticker, click on the icon in the form of three dots “...”

In addition, the Notes widget supports standard text editing functions:

• CTRL+B - highlight text in bold;
• CTRL+I - italics;
• CTRL+U - selected characters will be underlined;
• CTRL+T - crossed out text;
• CTRL+SHIFT+L - create a bulleted list, double pressing the keys will switch to a numbered list;
• CTRL+SHIFT+> - increase the font size by one;
• CTRL+SHIFT+<—decrease the font size by one.

Widget from “Avedesk”

The application is free and open source, meaning it is guaranteed to be free of malware. Powered by Visual C++. Also supported on Windows XP.

The Russian language is not officially provided, but it has been added to many widgets by third-party developers.

Among the advantages: it takes up minimal space, does not load the processor and RAM. But the visual style of widgets is for amateurs. The developer uses gadgets from MacOS Leopard as a reference.

How to install a gadget on Windows 10 using Avdesk? First, download it from the official website (by default, the program is installed with a basic set of widgets), and then open them using this application. Widgets will be automatically added to the library.

Can you tell a cringe from a crash? Take this fun test and find out!

Where can I find Clock widgets with different designs?

There are a large number of thematic sites on the Internet for adding various kinds of widgets, including “Clocks,” to Window 10. Some users like to change their appearance every day or from time to time. Therefore, here is a small list of sites from which you can download dozens of different designs.

Wingad.ru

In the corresponding section of the site you can find more than a hundred design options for the “Clock” widget. Having chosen the one you like, you just need to click on the “Download gadget” button and save the .gadget file to any folder on your computer.

Each widget design option has detailed information about it

After downloading, you need to run the instant installation file, and then find and attach the new “Clock” widget on Windows 10 to any of the popular programs (Gadgets Revived, MFI10, 8GadgetPack) by simply selecting it from the list of available ones.

Winzoro.net

Similar to the previous site, in a special section you can choose from more than two hundred design options for the “Clock” widget.

1. Navigate to the design you like and download the .gadget extension file.

   Each widget has a short description and the ability to share a link to download it on social networks

2. Start automatic installation of the widget.
3. Using any of the special programs for adding widgets in Windows 10, select the newly installed “Clock” from the general list.

Widgets “Unit conventer”

Mini-utility for your desktop. It integrates calculator widgets, as well as a unit converter. For example, you can find out how many inches there are in 10 meters or convert kilograms to pounds.

It takes up only 2 megabytes and does not affect system performance at all. But there is no support for third-party widgets. In the settings, you can only change the theme (select the main color), as well as change the size of the gadget. You can install the gadget in a couple of clicks.

Super test on the topic “Money” and how can you be friends with it?

Clipboarder gadget for Windows 10

Clicking on an element instantly adds it to memory, individual elements can be pinned, and mouse dragging is supported. The gadget has a wide selection of design themes; in addition, like any mini-application, Clipboarder supports transparency adjustment. In the settings you can specify the maximum length of the feed (maximum 100 elements), feed style, hot keys, etc.

Gadget “Hud time”

The program adds a mini-widget that shows the current time, date, and weather information on the desktop. Russian language is also supported. There are 15 presets, you can change the size of the gadget and place it anywhere on the desktop. Installing the gadget on Windows 10 is not difficult.

What instrument are you? Take the test and find out

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

Even in the version of Windows 8, Microsoft abandoned the built-in gadgets for its operating systems . According to the developers, a number of serious reasons prompted them to take 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;
• increasing 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 specific user;
• a sharp reduction in the number of users using built-in gadgets (widgets).

It would seem that gadget lovers were given an alternative in the form of dynamic tiles, but such a replacement turned out to be far from equivalent. The main problem is that dynamic tiles can only be placed in the Start menu, without being transferred to the desktop . Therefore, some users prefer third-party programs that can install familiar gadgets on their PC.

The “tile menu” can be customized (change the number and size of tiles)

Widget from “Launch control”

Adds desktop gadgets for Windows 10 that allow you to quickly shut down your PC, change users, put your PC into hibernation mode, turn off WiFi, and so on.

You can also add “favorite” programs to the widget list for quick launch. For each icon, you can set any image (Png files with a transparent background are also supported). The only drawback is the lack of support for third-party widgets. Russian language is also not supported.

Volga or Pobeda? Are you familiar with the Soviet automobile industry? Test yourself in a fun test!

Rainmeter

A tiny utility that will install any gadget on Windows 10 is located at https://www.rainmeter.net. Their number, as well as the number of design variations, cannot be counted. Everyone will be able to personalize their desktop.

The configuration of each desktop element is stored in a configuration (*.ini) file, which opens up endless possibilities for changing their appearance. Rainmeter supports the creation of packages - a set of user-configured widgets for quick loading after reinstalling the operating system.

Installation of the program is also primitive - click “Next”. To add gadgets, double-click on the application icon in the tray, in the “Skins” tab, expand the desired directory and select the information window interface option with the ini extension at the end of its name.

To view the result, click “Download”, and the window will appear on top of all the others. Changing its configuration (position, transparency) is reflected in the state of the window in real time.

To install new widgets, download them from a trusted source, for example, the official website https://rainmeter.deviantart.com/ or a Russian-language equivalent, if necessary, change the extension of the zip archive to .rmskin, and first repack rar and 7z into zip, and then replace extension to .rmskin. But usually the file with skins is already ready for installation.

“Driveinfo” gadget

A widget showing the fullness of all installed hard drives, including network storage. Works in all versions of Windows, starting from XP. Also one of the few gadgets that “adequately” recognizes SSDs.

The widget does not have Russian language. The gadget can be placed anywhere on the desktop; it supports resizing and automatic selection of the optimal icon resolution (it looks attractive even on 4K monitors). Supports interactive control. That is, by clicking on the disk icon, it opens its contents through Explorer.

Other ways to install desktop widgets

MFI10 is a collection of popular applications, tweaks and scripts from previous versions of Windows, including widgets. However, finding the assembly is problematic. All components have been removed from the official website, and there are no links on third-party resources either. Anyone who needs this assembly will have to search on thematic forums, re-reading a mountain of topics and pages. If, by luck, it is still found, then you will have to install Daemon Tools or Alcohol. Because the assembly is presented in the form of an ISO image that can be mounted by these applications. After installing the program components, an item called “Gadgets” will be added to the Control Panel.

There is another application - Rainmeter. A distinctive feature of which is a huge selection of widgets and their designs.

Widget “My Weather”

The gadget adds a weather widget to your desktop. You can display data from several cities at once. There are 7 presets. The widget also shows an animation of current weather conditions. Automatic location detection by IP address is supported.

Supports size changes, as well as notifications about worsening weather in the next 2 to 10 hours. Can be made translucent. By the way, the widget was developed by Russian programmers. Accordingly, support for the Russian language is also available.

Take the test on the topic “Legends of the 90s”, remember which of these you had?

HUD Time

Numerous gadgets in the form of clocks and calendars, as a rule, are not very useful, since the same information is displayed next to the system tray. However, there is one exception: if you are far from the screen, you may not be able to make out what is written in the lower right corner. If you have exactly this scenario, then pay attention to HUD Time - a huge clock, displaying the month and day of the week. They can be placed anywhere on the desktop, and the transparency level, font and text color can be adjusted.