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Applies to these editions of Windows Vista:

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Using gadgets on a Windows SideShow-compatible device

Wouldn't it be great if you could see your calendar without turning on your computer? If you have a Windows SideShow-compatible device (such as a mobile phone or a display embedded in your laptop lid), you can do just that. You can use gadgets to display information from your computer. Gadgets are updated on your device with information that is transferred from your computer. For example, you can use a gadget on your device to check e-mail messages or view your calendar.

Installing gadgets

A Windows Mail gadget is included with Windows Vista. You can run it on all compatible devices to read new and saved e-mail messages. In addition to gadgets built for Windows SideShow, your device manufacturer might have installed and turned on other gadgets for your device. To learn more, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

You can also use gadgets that are included with Windows Sidebar. Windows Sidebar is a long, vertical bar on the side of your screen that holds gadgets to offer information at a glance. Many Windows Sidebar gadgets are compatible with Windows SideShow and can be used for your device. For more information, see Windows Sidebar and gadgets (overview).

Picture of Windows Sidebar Windows Sidebar

If you install a Windows Sidebar gadget that is compatible with Windows SideShow, you need to turn on the gadget in Windows SideShow in Control Panel.

Open Windows Sideshow by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Windows SideShow.

Note

Note

To use a Sidebar gadget on your Windows SideShow-compatible devices, the gadget must be running on Sidebar. If you exit or remove Sidebar, the Sidebar gadgets are removed from your devices and no longer appear in Windows SideShow in Control Panel.

You can also find more gadgets online at the Windows SideShow website.

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Viewing gadgets

You can view the list of gadgets that are installed on your devices by going to Windows SideShow in Control Panel. Gadgets appear on your devices in the order that they were installed. To change the order in which gadgets appear, see Change the order of gadgets on a Windows SideShow-compatible device. Gadgets that have been installed by your device manufacturer might not appear in Windows SideShow in Control Panel.

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Removing gadgets

You can remove gadgets from your devices in Installed Programs in Control Panel. To remove a gadget, right-click the gadget name, and then click Remove.

Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Programs and Features.

Some gadgets may not appear in Installed Programs because they're part of another program that is installed on your computer.

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