How To Uninstall Gadgets In Windows 7

Martin Brinkmann
Jan 4, 2011
Updated • May 17, 2014
Tutorials
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14

Gadgets, which is just another word for small applications that run on the desktop, have been improved in Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 7. Introduced in Windows Vista and restricted to a sidebar in the operating system, they have been freed in Windows 7 from that restriction so that they can be placed anywhere on the screen.

Gadgets are installed just like other applications with the difference that they are added to the gadget listing and the desktop automatically.

The first question that may arise is about the save location. Where are gadgets stored?

There are, as usual, two answers to this. It depends if the gadget has been installed system wide or only for a specific user.

  • Systemwide gadgets: All gadgets of this kind are usable and accessible by all system users. They are stored in the folders C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Shared Gadgets, C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets or for 64-bit systems in the folders C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Sidebar\Shared Gadgets and C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets
  • User specific gadgets are installed only for, and usually by, a user of the system. These gadgets are stored in the user folder, more precisely under C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets

Gadgets are stored as .gadget files which are basically zip archives that have been renamed.

How to uninstall gadgets

The best option is to uninstall them in the gadgets menu. A right-click on the desktop and the selection of Gadgets opens that menu. All installed gadgets are displayed and it is possible to activate them here or uninstall them. A right-click on a gadget opens a context menu with options to uninstall the selected gadget from the operating system.

A confirmation dialog is displayed with options to go ahead with the uninstallation or cancel it.

It can happen that a gadget cannot be uninstalled properly from the gadgets interface. Deleting the file in the gadgets directory is then an option to remove it from the operating system.

Summary
Article Name
How To Uninstall Gadgets In Windows 7
Description
A tutorial that provides you with information needed to install, locate and remove gadgets from a PC running Windows 7.
Author
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Comments

  1. steve pfister said on December 11, 2015 at 7:47 pm
    Reply

    Gadgets are not responding. Would it be possible to remove their files completely from my PC? Thanks

  2. Dovydas V. said on August 2, 2013 at 1:30 pm
    Reply

    Thank u very much guys! i have got a problem in too many gadgets thing, and now i know how to delete them in one time :) thank u .
    I LOVE U GHACKS!

  3. Joe O. said on December 21, 2012 at 8:39 pm
    Reply

    Thanks man for the help.

  4. aswini said on March 16, 2012 at 7:35 pm
    Reply

    Gadgets r not responding sir .problem at
    Problem Event Name: BEX
    Application Name: sidebar.exe
    Application Version: 6.1.7600.16385
    Application Timestamp: 4a5bc613
    Fault Module Name: StackHash_a44e
    Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
    Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000
    Exception Offset: 02f50070
    Exception Code: c0000005
    Exception Data: 00000008
    OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
    Locale ID: 1033
    Additional Information 1: a44e
    Additional Information 2: a44e0d2f6ff219c60bf8ef3e5a49f265
    Additional Information 3: 37a6
    Additional Information 4: 37a64b7962755778c45c24fae4ac6d03

  5. aswini said on March 16, 2012 at 7:30 pm
    Reply

    sir,i unable 2 open gadgets

  6. joyce said on May 11, 2011 at 9:04 pm
    Reply

    I am trying to bring the gadgets to the front and all I can see is the square block for it and not the gadget ..

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on May 11, 2011 at 11:44 pm
      Reply

      I cannot follow. What are you trying to do Joyce?

      1. joyce said on May 12, 2011 at 12:29 am
        Reply

        Hi Martin, the gadgets on the sidebar are coming on the desktop but are visible just as a sqaure.For example when I click the clock gadget..only a black square appears.I cant see any time.I did try to uninstall all the gadgets but still its not working.Tried installing new gadgets also but it is also not working.

      2. Martin Brinkmann said on May 12, 2011 at 12:36 am
        Reply

        That sounds like a problem with core Windows system files. Try this https://www.ghacks.net/2010/05/18/sfc-scannow-windows-file-recovery/

  7. Ray said on January 17, 2011 at 3:57 am
    Reply

    I can’t figure out how to move gadgets. It must be obvious, but I guess it’s not obvious enough for me.

  8. seenu said on January 4, 2011 at 2:58 pm
    Reply

    Simple article

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