Desktop Gadgets or Gadgets is one of the several features removed from Windows 10. Users who have used Vista and Windows 7 before upgrading to Windows 10 know that the Desktop Gadgets feature was introduced first with Windows Vista.
Why are Desktop Gadgets not available in Windows 10?
The Desktop Gadgets feature is not part of Windows 10. Back in 2012, Microsoft announced that the vulnerabilities in Desktop Gadgets could be used to gain access to your PC. Because of this security problem in Gadgets, Microsoft dropped Desktop Gadgets from Windows 8 and Windows 10.
That said, users who have used Desktop Gadgets for a long period of time know how useful they are. If you are not worried about the security issues with Gadgets, you can also install Gadgets in Windows 10. However, note that the Gadgets feature is not officially available for Windows 10.
Developers have ported Windows 7 gadgets to Windows 10. This guide shows you how to install Desktop Gadgets in Windows 10.
Install Windows 7 Desktop Gadgets in Windows 10
Step 1: Visit this page and download the DesktopGadgetsInstaller.zip pack.
Step 2: Extract the DesktopGadgetsInstaller.zip file to a folder. To extract, right-click on the ZIP file and then click the Extract option. Select a folder to save the unpacked files.
Step 3: Now, go to the folder containing unpacked files. Double-click on the DesktopGadgetsRevived.exe file. Please select the language and follow the easy on-screen directions to install it.
Step 4: Once installed, you will see the Gadgets entry in the desktop right-click menu. Click on it to open the Gadgets panel, from where you can drag and drop gadgets to the desktop area.
NOTE: Desktop Gadgets pack can be uninstalled by going to Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features page.
Widget Launch adds some cool Gadgets to Windows 10 desktop
Widget Launcher is a free app available in the Microsoft Store to add some fresh gadgets to your Windows 10 desktop.
As you can see in the picture, it does not include the original Desktop Gadgets from Windows 7. Instead, it includes fresh widgets.
Visit the official Widget Launcher page to install it.
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