There are many users who would like to be able to customize their entire Windows 10 desktop to the maximum, which could be done before using the desktop gadgets that Windows incorporates. But since Microsoft decided to eliminate all these gadgets in favor of enhancing the applications of the Windows Store, it was a disappointment for many users. Therefore, now if we want to have widgets on our desktop we must use third-party applications.
Desktop gadgets were eliminated by Microsoft as they claimed that they represented vulnerabilities to hackers , which could be exploited to access our computer: “Gadgets can be used to damage your computer or have access to files on your computer, show you content questionable or change their behavior at any time. ” It would even be possible that hackers could use the vulnerability of widgets even to take control of our computer.
When we talk about gadgets we refer to some small accessories that could be placed on the desktop of our computer, which gave a touch of eye-catching and served to notify us of alerts, show the time and date, write notes, among other functions.
If we want to ignore Microsoft’s recommendations and want to reinstall gadgets on our desktop, we must use third-party applications for this, such as the ones we are going to see below.
Gadget pack apps for Windows
Rainmeter, the most popular
We are facing a free and open source tool with which we can customize our Windows desktop in a very simple way. It has a large number of skins available that allow us to add all kinds of content to the screen such as notes, tasks, media player, parts of the time, performance meters, among others. Despite what it may seem, the memory consumption that Rainmeter uses is quite low, so it can be suitable for almost any type of computer. Its main drawback is that all its configuration must be done by hand .
If you want to try all the possibilities that Rainmeter offers, you can download it for free from its website .
Gadgets Revived, includes original Microsoft gadgets
Through this application we can reinstall widgets on our Windows 10 computer, respecting the appearance and operation that they originally included with Microsoft. With this tool we will have access to a wide variety and collection of desktop gadgets , such as a CPU meter, a calendar, time applications, clock, a unit converter, among others. To do this, we just have to download the application, extract it and install it in the usual way, without requiring any special configuration or the like. Just by pressing the right button and from the context menu we can add the gadgets we need.
The best thing about Gadgets Revived is that it is a completely free application that we can download from the developer’s website .
8GadgetPack, with 45 widgets and sidebar
We are facing a complete pack of 45 different widgets, which were originally created for Windows 8 but are fully compatible with Windows 10. Many of them were developed at the time by Microsoft such as the famous analog clock or the CPU meter. In addition, we will find other widgets such as Desktop Calculator (calculator), iBattery (battery icon), a mini radio, a weather application, a notes gadget, among others. We will also have a sidebar that we can configure so that we can have our favorite widgets more accessible. Despite the good amount of gadgets available, it should be noted that not all of them have a great utility that deserves their use.
If we want to download this complete package of widgets we have to access its website .
XWidget, with more than 1600 images and built-in editor
It is an application that will allow us to fully customize our desktop through widgets, thanks to its extensive gallery that incorporates more than 1,600 different images. These widgets are organized by categories. In this way we can find date and time, weather information and even some 3D gadgets. Also noteworthy is the presence of a powerful light and handy editor , as well as the little RAM it needs to work. Its main drawbacks are that most of the free widgets are not of very good quality and cannot be customized. Also, many of them are very similar to each other.
If we want to customize the desktop of our computer with the gadgets that XWidget incorporates, you can download them from this link .
Gadgetarian, improve productivity with its widgets
This complete and lightweight application offers us the possibility of recovering our collection of Windows 7 gadgets. It has a wide collection of widgets focused on improving our productivity, but any of them can be uninstalled and eliminated easily. We will find utilities such as a radio station, a timer to organize breaks, monitor the CPU or GPU, among others. The application is compatible with Windows 10 both its 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Perhaps its biggest drawback is that it does not have as extensive a catalog as other similar options.
If you want to have gadgets on your desktop again, you can download Gadgetarian for free from here .
Windows 10 Widgets, a gadget pack that runs under Rainmeter
This tool has been specially designed so that we can have the most important information always in front of our eyes through the use of widgets. It includes a complete package of gadgets that we can leave fixed on our desktop offering information such as CPU performance, storage, battery, weather, WiFi, music, among other options that are all perfectly integrated into our system. Its main drawback is that it runs low through Rainmeter , so we will have to have it installed to use it.
We can download Windows 10 Widgets from the developer’s website .
GadgetsKit.com, extensive web catalog
From this website we can download different types of gadgets that we can install on our Windows desktop. We will find them organized by categories , where we will find calendar widgets, clock, games, music, Internet, meteorological gadgets, tools and utilities, PC and system or News and RSS. All widgets are compatible from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Its main handicap is that we have to download one by one instead of a complete package. In addition, many gadgets are quite repetitive or do not have much utility.
We can download the widgets for our desktop for free from GadgetsKit.com by entering their website .
Widget Launcher, allows you to configure gadgets
Formerly known as Widget HD, it is an application that we can download comfortably from the Microsoft Store. With it we can place all kinds of widgets on our desktop. As in Windows Vista, just hovering the mouse button over the gadget shows the X button to close it. In addition, they include Configuration options, from which we can customize them . In this way, applications such as the weather or the clock allow us to configure the location. Its main drawback, although it is free, offers us purchases within the application to buy all kinds of additional widgets such as image galleries or Internet speed tests.
You can download Widget Launcher for free from the Microsoft Store.
