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Post by Ratae on Jan 29, 2014 16:05:50 GMT
Ratae to ships crew! This is for those of us running W7 and using the desktop gadgets program which comes pre-installed. I used a couple of these on my own desktops, the 'Weather' gadget and the 'CPU Meter' gadget. However, I recently became aware of some article from M/S, pointing out that the program had not been installed on the W8 OS because of security concerns, these concerns apply to W7 users as well!  So, on the basis that my paranoia doesn't mean that everyone ain't out to get me, I set about removing/disabling the thing.  Here's the info > " This article will provide beginning and advanced users with several different options for disabling Windows Sidebar and gadgets. This article addresses the following options:
1.Disable Windows Sidebar and gadgets using an automated Fix it solution 2.Disable Windows Sidebar and gadgets using the system registry 3.Disable Windows Sidebar and gadgets using Group Policy Before You Begin
Choose the option for disabling Windows Sidebar and gadgets that best suits your computing environment and level of expertise. If you are implementing the procedure on your personal machine or fewer than two computers, then the Fix it solution is probably the best option for you. However, if you are familiar with working with the registry editor, then the system registry procedure is an option as well. Lastly, if you are a system administrator and Group Policy is enabled on your network, then the Group Policy procedure will allow you to implement the procedure on multiple systems across your network."
Option 1: Disable Windows Sidebar and gadgets using an automated Fix it solution Target users: All Microsoft has created an automated Fix it solution that disables Windows Sidebar and gadgets on individual systems. See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2719662 for instructions on obtaining and applying the Fix it solution. We recommend that administrators review the article closely prior to deploying this Fix it solution. Option 2: Disable Windows Sidebar and gadgets using the system registry Target users: Advanced users and system administrators Alternatively, users can disable Windows Sidebar and gadgets on individual systems by creating a new registry key in Registry Editor. To create and set the new registry key, follow these steps: Note: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or view the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note: We recommend backing up the registry before editing it. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click Continue.
Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, expand SOFTWARE, expand Microsoft, expand Windows, expand CurrentVersion, and then expand Policies.
Right-click Policies, select New, select Key, and then type Windows as the file name.
Right-click Windows, select New, select Key, and then type Sidebar as the file name.
Right-click Sidebar, select New, select DWORD (32-bit) Value, and the type TurnOffSidebar as the Name.
Right-click TurnOffSidebar, and then set Value data: to 1.
You must log off your system or close the sidebar.exe process after you apply this procedure.So....due to the fact that I suffer from these delusions that I'm an absolute expert on everything and anything, then quite naturally I chose the 'regedit' method to create a new registry key as described above , but only of course after covering my sorry arse by backing up the registry.  Anyway...I've done it on both of my W7 machines and everything seems to be running OK. Now if I click on 'Desktop Gadgets' in the 'All Programs' list (since removed the shortcut), a window opens saying summat about a systems administrator. Anyway, sod all opens.  Oi fellas...........let's be careful out there!!!!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 16:54:45 GMT
Thanks Ratae |
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Post by nob on Jan 29, 2014 17:21:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 17:27:53 GMT
As I never use the pre-installed gadgets anyway, I prevented them from starting by disabling them in the start up folder.
Is that enough, or do I need to remove them completely ?
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Post by Ratae on Jan 29, 2014 17:30:35 GMT
This is what I read. I don't care really where they came from.....tooooooooooo risky!  |
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Post by Ratae on Jan 29, 2014 17:37:44 GMT
As I never use the pre-installed gadgets anyway, I prevented them from starting by disabling them in the start up folder. Is that enough, or do I need to remove them completely ? Probably Al, obviously they also can be removed completely from the 'programs' folder, I have only 'disabled' them! I can happily live without them, I only put them on my desktop out of curiosity originally. Just got used to seeing them there!  |
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Post by nob on Jan 29, 2014 17:55:39 GMT
My two gadgets are the clock and the AVG one that comes with AVG. I occasionally use a weather one.
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Post by Ratae on Jan 29, 2014 18:31:26 GMT
My two gadgets are the clock and the AVG one that comes with AVG. I occasionally use a weather one. Which reminds me. Recently a Windows update screwed up those gadgets and I had to do a sys-rest to remove the update. I'll have a shufty around, and see if I can find the update and reinstall it. Edit Turned out to be an update for that silly IE thingy.......not needed¬ |
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Post by uncleub on Jan 29, 2014 18:59:35 GMT
I use the sidebar with Vista.I have the cpu meter,calendar and clock.All came pre installed and have never given me any trouble since I first got the computer in 2007.
There was a lot of concern some time back about installing 3rd party gadgets.I have never been down that path so can't comment.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 21:36:59 GMT
As I never use the pre-installed gadgets anyway, I prevented them from starting by disabling them in the start up folder. Is that enough, or do I need to remove them completely ? Greetings Alan, On my W7 machines, I did this ..... Control Panel Programs and Features Turn Windows features on or off (link top left) Remove tick from Windows Gadget Platform OK Obviously, if you want to resurrect your gadgets, re-tick the box. I've not yet got around to just uninstalling them ... per right-click gadget >> uninstall. If you do this, and change your mind, the W7 ones can be easily re-installed. Spit |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2014 8:49:27 GMT
Thanks Spit,
As always, perfect, clear and simple instructions !
I'll do it now.
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Post by Ratae on Jan 30, 2014 14:26:26 GMT
Yep...Spit's way seems a damned lot easier than my way. Never mind....done it now. Yup, those gadgets are no more. They have ceased to be, they have expired and gone to meet their maker! They are bereft of life and they rest in peace!  Their processes are now history, they have shuffled off the mortal hdd, run down the desktop and joined the soddin' choir invisibile!!  They are ex gadgets!   |
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Post by nob on Jan 30, 2014 21:43:23 GMT
How are Microsoft gadgets vulnerable. |
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Post by Ratae on Jan 31, 2014 0:25:04 GMT
How are Microsoft gadgets vulnerable. Damned if I know, but on my machines, they aren't anymore! |
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Post by uncleub on Jan 31, 2014 22:19:16 GMT
How are Microsoft gadgets vulnerable. I think its the 3rd party(non Microsoft) ones that you have to be careful with as they like any other bits of software can carry all sorts of nasty stuff to infect your pc with |
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