Use Desktop Gadgets

Windows 7 installs with a number of desktop gadgets which allow you to keep information you would like to have on your Desktop screen at all times

 

Place gadgets on the Desktop screen

  • To get a gadget on the Desktop screen, do the following:

    • Right-click anywhere on the Desktop screen

    • Choose Gadgets from the shortcut menu

    • The Gadget window, including some default gadgets installed with Windows 7 is displayed, do one of the following:

      • Double-click a desired gadget in the window to place it on the Desktop screen

      • Drag a desired gadget in the window and place it on the Desktop screen

        • Weather gadget – provides information about the current and forecasted weather

        • CPU Meter gadget – shows you your computer’s performance, the CPU and memory

        • Currency gadget – helps you convert currency at your fingertips

        • Pictures Puzzle and Slide Show gadget – go through your different photos

        • Feed Headings gadget – displays RSS Feeds (headline news) on your Desktop screen

  •  To get more information about a selected gadget, do the following:

    • Click a desired gadget to select it

    • Click a down arrow button next to Show details


 

Get familiar with Gadget options

  • Move the mouse hove the gadget to see buttons appear:

    • Close button

    • Larger Size button – to maximize the gadget

    • Options button – to modify settings of the gadget

    • Drag gadget button – to move the gadget around on the Desktop

  • Right-click a gadget to reveal a shortcut menu display with some additional options:

    • Add gadgets… - access additional default gadgets from the Gadget window

    • Always on top – make a gadget always appear on top of any program that is running

    • Capacity – adjust the transparency of a gadget

 

Get more Gadgets from Microsoft site

  • Open Gadget window

  • Click Get more gadgets online link at the bottom-right corner

  •  The Microsoft site will be displayed
    • Select Desktop Gadgets section

    • Click Get it now link to install a desired gadget on your Desktop screen

  • Click any desired gadget to see more detail information before you install it, click Download button to install the gadget

    • Scroll down and click Get more desktop gadget link if you want to see additional gadgets organized in catalogues