No more Windows 7 gadgets?

[Cosmos_i7]

Hi guys,

 

I just installed Windows 7 on my new computer and went to install some gadgets to keep track of my CPU and GPU, yes I am aware that there are apps that can do it but the gadget sidebar is far more elegant. Also I used to have a network one on my old pc as well to monitor download speed at a glance while my web browser was pinned to the left.

 

Anyway bottom line is Microsoft seems to have discontinued the gadgets download page. In the article they say that it has serious vulnerabilities, in that a malicious gadget could be installed and access your computer. To which I thought nearly every program can do that so why focus on gadgets? An program can be malicious. 

 

I kinda feel like this is a sad excuse to try and convert people to Windows 8, I am aware gadgets are that big of a deal for some but for me it was a very useful feature.

 

Anyone know of a similar system?

 

Source: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/gadgets

[DaftBehemoth]

If you Google search for the gadget you want, it'll still be out there hosted by different people. In windows 8, you can install "8GadgetPack" which will bring all the gadgets (plus a little extra functionality) back how it was. Personally I love Windows gadgets and I use AllGPUMeter and AllCPUMeter on all my computers

[Langdon]

You could always use Rainmeter. Lots of different skins so I think it looks better.

[GoodBytes]

Gadget no longer exists... well in development because Windows 8 drop them, in favor of live tiles.

[Giddyguy]

i thought the gadgets page was gone a long time ago (well before windows 8). thats why I had my system control gadget saved. You can still look for gadgets online and install them, I just think MS doesn't have a download page anymore.

[mgsstar]

You could always use Rainmeter. Lots of different skins so I think it looks better.

+1 Rainmeter is a good thing to use for placing gadgets on your desktop. It is very easy to use imo.

[MdX MaxX]

I just use 8GadgetPack and a bunch of gadgets from addgadget.com.  Works just like Windows 7 Gadgets.

 

They don't display my CPU/GPU clocks properly but they look cool so I don't care.

 

I don't have the patience to make Rainmeter look good.

[_ASSASSIN_]

You could always use Rainmeter. Lots of different skins so I think it looks better.

agreed, I have rainmeter and it's awesome

[Prince32780]

http://addgadgets.com/

 

everything I need, gadget-wise is on that website

[Lynx]

from what i remember, windows drop/disable the gadget because some security issue.

Rainmeter is better
 

[ericlee30]

Hi guys,

 

I just installed Windows 7 on my new computer and went to install some gadgets to keep track of my CPU and GPU, yes I am aware that there are apps that can do it but the gadget sidebar is far more elegant. Also I used to have a network one on my old pc as well to monitor download speed at a glance while my web browser was pinned to the left.

 

Anyway bottom line is Microsoft seems to have discontinued the gadgets download page. In the article they say that it has serious vulnerabilities, in that a malicious gadget could be installed and access your computer. To which I thought nearly every program can do that so why focus on gadgets? An program can be malicious. 

 

I kinda feel like this is a sad excuse to try and convert people to Windows 8, I am aware gadgets are that big of a deal for some but for me it was a very useful feature.

 

Anyone know of a similar system?

 

Source: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/gadgets

We have not been able to get Windows gadgets from Microsoft website for years now, just over 2 years a believe, since they drop the gadgets you now have to Google search for them, there are alot of 3rd party sits that you can download them from.

[_wky]

I never really used gadgets that much, they were ghastly IMO.

I used a few good Rainmeter skins for a while before writing my own and now only use those.

[IdeaStormer]

How nice of Microsoft to introduce a new feature that was so bad security-wise it just drops it instead of fixing it.

 

Way to go Microsoft :blink:

[GoodBytes]

Well, why keep something that:

 1- No one uses (small percentage)

 2- No one develop

 3- The default ones which most people use, are replaced by the Live tiles in Win8.

 

You as a manager, would you prefer to have your team work on fixing the above, or work on a new feature.. let's say Storage Space, or File History, which has more potential to be more used, more useful, and appreciated by users?

 

Clearly the later. Doing the first is a waste of resources (money, time).

[Mooshi]

I never once used a single gadget since using Windows 7...ever. I honestly forgot they even existed until this topic.

[IdeaStormer]

Well, why keep something that:

 1- No one uses (small percentage)

 2- No one develop

 3- The default ones which most people use, are replaced by the Live tiles in Win8.

 

You as a manager, would you prefer to have your team work on fixing the above, or work on a new feature.. let's say Storage Space, or File History, which has more potential to be more used, more useful, and appreciated by users?

 

Clearly the later. Doing the first is a waste of resources (money, time).

 

By those points,  are they dropping Vista next week then :lol:

[Cosmos_i7]

Well, why keep something that:

 1- No one uses (small percentage)

 2- No one develop

 3- The default ones which most people use, are replaced by the Live tiles in Win8.

 

You as a manager, would you prefer to have your team work on fixing the above, or work on a new feature.. let's say Storage Space, or File History, which has more potential to be more used, more useful, and appreciated by users?

 

Clearly the later. Doing the first is a waste of resources (money, time).

 

As I stated earlier I am aware many don't use it, but what about the people who do use it? People still use Windows 7 yet that still gets updated. My point is trying to pull it off as a security risk is kinda silly, if they discontinued it then fine, but trying to make an excuse just to sell live tiles on Windows 8? I don't buy it.

 

Come on how much do you really think it cost them to keep the website up and running? It wasn't even that difficult.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys I will try and go direct through the developer or use alternatives. But this is one reason why Windows is my secondary OS.

[Cosmos_i7]

We have not been able to get Windows gadgets from Microsoft website for years now, just over 2 years a believe, since they drop the gadgets you now have to Google search for them, there are alot of 3rd party sits that you can download them from.

Was it really 2 years? I'm pretty sure I was able to download them from the early part of this year on my old computer. The problem is I can't remember the names of the gadgets I got so a bit of hunting will be required.

[Cosmos_i7]

http://addgadgets.com/

 

everything I need, gadget-wise is on that website

Thanks mate, this is exactly what I was looking for. I recognise most of the gadgets on the website. Appreciate the help.