Applies to Windows 7

Desktop gadgets: frequently asked questions

Here are answers to common questions about desktop gadgets. Some of the gadgets that were available in Windows Vista are unavailable in Windows 7. Gadgets that come with Windows 7 include Calendar, Clock, Weather, Feed Headlines, Slide Show, and Picture Puzzle. For more information about gadgets, see Customize desktop gadgets.

To watch a video, see Picture of the Play button‌ Video: Personalizing your PC.
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How do gadgets work?

All of the desktop gadgets installed on your computer are located in the Desktop Gadget Gallery.

  1. Right-click the desktop and click Gadgets.

  2. Click the scroll buttons to see all of the gadgets.

  3. To see information about a gadget, click the gadget, and then click Show details.

Any installed gadget can be added to your desktop. After you add a gadget to your desktop, you can move it, resize it, and change its options. For more information, see Customize desktop gadgets.

What gadgets are included with Windows 7?

Some of the gadgets that come with Windows 7 are Calendar, Clock, Weather, Feed Headlines, Slide Show, and Picture Puzzle.

Note

Note

  • The Sticky Notes program and the Sticky Notes gadget that were available in previous versions of Windows have been replaced in Windows 7. If you used either Sticky Notes or the Sticky Notes gadget in a previous version of Windows and have upgraded your computer, any notes that you had (either ink or text) should be available in the new version of Sticky Notes.

How do I uninstall a gadget?

  1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Gadgets.

  2. Right-click a gadget, and then click Uninstall.

Note

Note

  • If you uninstalled gadgets that came with Windows, you can restore them to the Desktop Gadget Gallery:

    • Click Start, and then click Control Panel. In the search box, type Restore Gadgets, and then click Restore desktop gadgets installed with Windows.

How do I add and remove gadgets from my desktop?

To add a gadget to the desktop

  1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Gadgets.

  2. Double-click a gadget to add it to the desktop.

To remove a gadget from the desktop

  • Right-click the gadget you want to remove, and then click Close gadget.

Can I use gadgets that were designed for a 32-bit version of Windows on a 64-bit version of Windows?

No, only gadgets that were designed for 64-bit versions of Windows will work.