Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   Adding Windows 7 gadgets to Windows 8

   Do you miss your desktop gadgets from Windows 7? If you’re missing your weather, RSS or clock gadgets, 8GadgetPack is the program for you. 8GadgetPack recreates those familiar gadgets in the Windows 8 engine so you can add them back to your desktop and we’ll show you how to start using your gadgets again.
   How to use 8GadgetPack

   Download 8GadgetPack from here.

   downloading-8gadgetpack

   Once you install it, unzip it and click on the EXE installer.

   preparing-for-first-run

   A few moments later, you’ll be able to start using gadgets again in Windows 8.

   using-8gadgetpack-sidebar

   A sidebar will open on your desktop with a few preliminary Windows 7 gadgets.

   cycling-through-windows-8-apps

   This sidebar will replace the normal one you’re used to dealing with in Windows 8 and as you need to cycle through open apps, you can do it form here, too.

   dragging-and-dropping-gadgets

   You can then drag and drop them to where you want on the desktop.

   changing-gadget-on-desktop

   If you hover over the newly placed gadget, you can open its menu. You can open the gadget from there, open its settings or close it. You can also drag and move it around the desktop.

   If you “Right-click” the sidebar, you can open the memory for 8GadgetPack. Click “Show all gadgets.”

   opening-sidebar-options

   This will open 8GadgetPack’s gallery of Windows 8 gadgets.

   opening-gadget-gallery

   reading-more-on-gadgets

   Many of them will be familiar to you, many will be new. You can click on any of the gadgets to get more information about them.

   Then, simply drag them onto the desktop to begin using them.

   Now, open the right-click menu again and click “Options” from the sidebar.

   customizing-orientation-settings

   The first settings – Orientation – deal with where the 8GadgetPack sidebar sits. You can customize it further with these options.

   Click “View.”

   customizing-view-settings

   These settings allow you to tinker with how gadgets interact with your Windows 8 theme and desktop.

   Finally, click “Info.”

   learning-more-about-8gadgetpack

   This gives you a little more information about the program and where you can give feedback or even donate to the cause.

   8GadgetPack is an easy to use way to get Windows 7 gadgets into Windows 8.
   Will Windows 8 ever have its own gadget library?

   With the move towards a more mobile look and feel in Windows 8, you’ll never see desktop gadgets like you did in Windows 7. With the use of “apps,” Windows has found a way to replace those gadgets we all came to love in Windows 7. Utilities like 8GadgetPack do an amazing job at replacing and letting you utilize those gadgets in Windows 8.

   What other gadget programs are you using in Windows 8? Are you using Google Gadgets on your desktop? Let us know in the comments below!

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   16 meg

   Posted 11 years ago #
2. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   I know that gadgets weren't considered the most wise things to have due to security reasons but one person's trash can be another persons treasure. I have been called "Dangerous Dan" a few times although my first name isn't Dan thanks to the poet Robert Service so caveat emptor if you want your gadgets on Windows 8. Listed below is the FAQ. Others may list the negatives. (:)

   About 8GadgetPack

   8GadgetPack is a small utility with which you can install the original Gadget program files on Windows 8.
   FAQ

   Is it free?
   Yes, completely
   I didn't really use gadgets previously. Is it really worth installing these?
   You should try it. The gadgets included are really useful when working with the PC. Unlike Metro-Apps gadgets can access usful system-information. The included Clipboard-Manager gadget for example will highly improve your productivity. With the Sidebar gadget, you can also make the gadgets visible while working with maximized windows.
   What are the requirements?
   This is supported on all versions of Windows 8, except Windows RT and the beta of Windows 8 (the beta still contains gadgets).
   Why is there a sidebar? Windows 7 didn't have one.
   This is just a gadget to help you keeping the gadgets organized and visible. You can right-click on it and select "close sidebar" to do so. Or you can even add more sidebars by adding the gadget "7 Sidebar". This is especially usful when working with multiple monitors. You can also make the sidebar appear automatically when touching the border.
   Will 8GadgetPack install some crap on my PC?
   No, the installer will only install the original Microsoft files and set the neccessary registry entries to make the gadgets work again. The only addition is a small tool with which you can uninstall all Non-Microsoft gadgets and delete all gadget settings. There is also an uninstaller included which removes everything the installer added.
   Aren't gadgets unsafe? Afterall, Microsoft removed them for a reason?
   Gadgets can contain viruses like any other software. Despite the warning when installing a gadget people seemed to think that it is safe to run any gadget. As long as you trust the source of the gadgets you install and you use anti-virus software you should be safe.
   Will I be able to install gadgets other than the ones included?
   Yes, the installer will make it possible to open and install .gadget files.
   When I try to install, there appears some error message.
   First, try to download the installer again and check if the error still appears. If that's not helping contact me and don't forget to mention the error message.
   I already installed an older version of 8GadgetPack. What do I have to do to upgrade?
   Simply download the installer again and open it. It will update your installation and even update outdated gadgets automatically. You don't have to uninstall first.
   A gadget seems not to be working. What can I do?
   The best choice is to contact the author of the gadget. I cannot do much about it, I just ship the original gadgets files to make gadgets working under Windows 8. If it is a Microsoft gadget that does not work you are out of luck. They didn't just discontinue gadgets but also seem to shut down the servers required by the weather, currency and stocks gadget. There are a bunch of alternative weather gadgets included in the pack and dozens of such gadgets can be found on the internet.

   Posted 11 years ago #

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