THURSDAY

Installing gadgets in Windows

Q I recently saw something about gadgets in Windows Vista. They sound like really useful tools. But I can’t figure out how to add them to my desktop. Can you fill me in on what I need to do?

AWindows Vista adds many new features to Microsoft’s operating system. A very useful addition is Windows Sidebar. Sidebar is the feature you heard about. It’s a bar that sits on the side of the desktop. It holds gadgets that can do any number of things.

Sidebar may not be turned on by default. If you’re new to Vista, you may not even know it exists. It isn’t obvious where the Sidebar program is located. To find it, click Start>>All Programs>>Accessories>>Windows Sidebar.

How-to ThursdayYou can have Sidebar start along with Windows. It’ll show up on your desktop every time you start your computer. Click Start>>Control Panel. Then click Classic View and select Windows Sidebar Properties. Lastly, check the box labeled “Start Sidebar when Windows starts.”

The Sidebar gadgets can do many things. They are like specialized mini programs. Several come pre-loaded with Vista. There is a photo viewer, weather utility and RSS reader, among others. It’s pretty cool to have these tools right at your fingertips.

You don’t have to settle on Sidebar’s default gadgets. Click the “+” at the top of the Sidebar. You’ll see a list of available gadgets. Double click any gadget to add it to the Sidebar.

The initial selection of gadgets is pretty limited. No problem. Hundreds are available online. If you can think of a useful gadget, you can probably find it.

To download new gadgets, click the + at the top of the Sidebar. Then click “Get more gadgets online” at the bottom of the window. This will open the gadgets site in your browser. There you can explore and rate many popular gadgets.

If you tire of a gadget, it’s easy to remove. Hold your cursor over the gadget. Small icons will appear next to it. Click the X to remove it.

Many gadgets are customizable. You may be able to change how they look or function. Hold your cursor over a gadget. Then click the small wrench symbol next to the gadget. You’ll get a new window with customization options.

Your gadgets aren’t locked to the Sidebar. You can place gadgets anywhere on the desktop. Just drag and drop the gadget anywhere you want.

Many gadgets have two states. They look and act differently when attached or detached from the Sidebar. When moved to the desktop, a photo viewer will grow in size. A weather gadget may change from current conditions to an extended forecast. Play with your gadgets to discover new abilities.