What is the .gadget file extension?
The file extension .gadget is used primarily by Microsoft?s Windows Vista and Windows 7 for the Windows sidebar and a .gadget file is commonly referred to as the Window?s sidebar gadget file.
What are Gadgets?
Gadgets are small applications that provide you information, such as weather information, time, RSS feeds and quick access to tools that you frequently use, such as Windows Media Player. You can download gadgets from Windows Live Gallery for free.
Windows Sidebar
As the name points out, the Windows Sidebar is a pane, anchored to the side of Windows Vista?s or Window 7?s desktop. You can arrange and access the installed gadgets from this pane. The reason for introducing the Windows Sidebar is to allow Windows users to personalize their desktops. Users can customize the Windows sidebar according to their preferred location.
What program(s) can open .gadget files?
The .gadget file comes under the executable files category and are referenced by the Windows Operating System.
How to install .gadget files in Windows XP?
In Vista and Windows 7 the sidebar is integrated and the gadgets will install automatically once you double-click the .gadget file after downloading it. However, installing gadgets in Windows XP is not such a seamless process and you are likely to get an error when you double-click a .gadget file to install it.
To install a gadget in Windows XP, perform the following steps:
- After you have saved the downloaded gadget file, right-click on it and click Rename.
- Next, add .zip after .gadget and press Enter (for instance, if you have downloaded the MSNVideo.gadget, rename it to MSNVideo.gadget.zip).
- Use a data compression utility, such as WinRAR to unzip the .zip file.
- Right-click the folder and click Copy.
- Open My Computer, browse to C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets, right-click on an empty space, and click Paste.
- Right-click the Sidebar and select Add Gadgets. The gadget you downloaded will appear along with other installed gadgets.
How to resolve file type errors that may occur when you try to open certain files?
Typically, file type errors occur when one or more file openers of the Windows system are damaged. To fix the issue, simply use a reliable file extension repair tool to repair damaged or corrupt file openers.