Downloading and installing Windows Vista Gadgets is a fairly simple process. This little tutorial should have you on your way in a few short moments. First you will need a gadget that is available to download. You can start by finding gadgets at the Windows Live Gallery here. For this demonstration I am going to download and install the Internet Speed Test gadget from the most popular downloads area. So follow along and see how easy it is to install Windows Vista Gadgets.

There are two ways to install a gadget. One way is by opening the gadget from the download prompt, which does not always work (buggy). The other is to save it to your desktop then click on it to install. The second method is easiest to do, and you can delete the downloaded file after it is installed. First you need to download the gadget you want by saving it to your computer.

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After downloading the Gadget you will want to click on it (where ever you downloaded it to), and then delete it once installed. You may get several warning prompts along the way regarding download and installing the gadget. Ignore these if your system does not detect a virus or other malware.

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Be sure to delete the file after the gadget is installed.

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Now that you have the gadget installed and the download file deleted, you are ready to customize your sidebar. Please note that not all gadgets have configuration options.

To see whether your gadget is customizable simply mouse over the gadget and look for the pop up icons as shown in the picture. As I mouse over the picture the tool icons will pop up, now you are ready to change the settings and to configure all of the available options. Click on the wrench icon to change any settings. Adding additional gadgets is also done by right clicking the sidebar and clicking Add Gadgets. Here you will see all of the available gadgets installed on your computer. In this menu you can add gadgets from your gadget control panel or change the look and position of your sidebar.

Gadgets Sidebar Tips And Tricks

To close your sidebar just right click on it and click the Close Sidebar in the pop up menu. You can choose to have your sidebar on top of other windows by doing a right click and clicking on the option Bring Gadgets To Front. If you loose your side bar or want it back after closing it you can do this two ways. By default there is a shortcut in the system tray on the bottom right corner of your computer screen. You can locate your side bar by clicking on this short cut. See the arrow in the picture below.

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If for some reason you can’t locate your system tray icon, you have the option of locating it by going to Start–> Control Panel–> Appearance and Personalization–> Windows Sidebar Properties–>Add Gadgets To Sidebar
 You can detach gadgets from the sidebar by doing a left click and hold, then move your mouse as you hold the left button. When you are done dragging the gadget release the left mouse button. Now you know the basics of the Windows Vista Gadgets Sidebar!