If you don’t use the Sidebar or Desktop gadgets in Windows 7 or if you want to turn them on, you can easily get add or remove them to reclaim some desktop space. All it takes is a simple configuration change.
1. Open the Control Panel by clicking on the “Start” menu icon then “Control Panel”.
2. In the Search box, type “features”.
3. Click the “Turn Windows features on or off” link.
4. Remove the check beside the “Windows Gadget Platform” option.
5. Click OK.
If your computer is a little slow, one optimization tip is to remove the check-mark next to “Indexing Service”.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Dan // Oct 27, 2014 at 3:37 am
It looks that only influences the gadgets, because – at least for me – it does not affect the sidebar.
2 The Weekly Geek // Dec 12, 2018 at 4:18 pm
I apologize, you are correct.
3 Anonymous // Apr 5, 2015 at 11:54 pm
Thank you for another informative web site. The place else may I get that type of information written in such a perfect
method? I have a challenge that I am just now running on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.
4 Cuthbert // Feb 24, 2017 at 9:21 am
Thank you very informative and straight to the point with not bs.
5 The Weekly Geek // Feb 25, 2017 at 9:00 am
It’s my pleasure.
6 Ray Brown // Dec 12, 2018 at 12:54 pm
when I go to programs & features, turn on/off, windows gadgets does not appear. HELP!!!
7 The Weekly Geek // Dec 12, 2018 at 4:18 pm
What version of Windows 7 do you have? My test machine is Windows 7 Professional and has it.
8 Terese // Oct 15, 2020 at 9:53 am
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