Back in October of this year Microsoft shut down the Windows Live Gallery which contained a huge collection of sidebar gadgets for your Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. This large collection of add-ons was replaced by a single page of gadgets at the Windows Personalization Gallery. I am not sure what the criteria was for the remaining gadgets but many folks are coming here in search of Gadgets after we profiled quite a few in a series of blog posts last year.
As I take a peek in my website stats over the last few weeks several of those gadget postings are very popular. The goal of this posting is to provide you some options for finding those gadgets that are no longer available directly from Microsoft. I will try to either give you an equivalent gadget that is still available on the Windows Personalization Gallery page, a link to the gadgets new location or a link to a replacement gadget that has similar features.
I hope this helps you find your favorite gadgets.
Countdown to Christmas Windows Sidebar Gadget – There is a very good general countdown replacement at http://buildagadget.com/wsg-countdown/.
Computer Status Windows Sidebar Gadget – There is a very good replacement available at http://buildagadget.com/wsg-system-monitor/.
CPU Meter Windows 7 Sidebar Gadget – An All CPU Meter gadget is available at the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery Gadgets page and is a very good replacement. You can also find one at http://addgadget.com/all_cpu_meter/.
Xbox 360 Avatar Sidebar Gadget – New download location is at http://2ktechnica.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/the-xbox-360-avatar-gadget-is-up/.
Imps Drive Info Sidebar Gadget – Download available at http://www.softpedia.com/get/Windows-Widgets/System-Utilities/Imp-s-Drive-Info.shtml. There is also the Drives Meter gadget available on the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery Gadgets page and at http://addgadget.com/drives_meter/.
Application Launcher Windows Sidebar Gadget – There is a good replacement at http://buildagadget.com/wsg-quick-launch/.
Moon Phase Windows Sidebar Gadget – Now available at http://www.thoosje.com/vista-sidebar-gadgets-livestyle.html.
Date and Time Windows Sidebar Gadget – Now available at http://buildagadget.com/wsg-date-time/.
Xbox 360 Gamer Gadget – Still available at the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery Gadgets page.
You will notice that I provided links to some very good replacements at the Build A Gadget and Add A Gadget websites. These sites regularly update their gadgets and are my favorite gadget resources.
Please let me know about any gadget sites you have visited by commenting below. Thanks.
