This article is about where to download gadgets for Windows 10 and how to install them on the system - both of these questions are asked by users who have updated to a new version of the OS from Windows 10, where they have already gotten used to desktop gadgets (such as clocks, weather , CPU indicator and others). I'll show you three ways to do this. There is also a video at the end of the instructions that shows all these ways to get desktop gadgets for Windows 10 for free.
By default, there is no official way to install gadgets in Windows 10, this feature has been removed from the system and you are expected to use the new application tiles instead, which can also display the required information. However, you can download a third-party free program that will return the usual functionality of gadgets located on the desktop - two such programs will be discussed below.
8GadgetPack is another free program for installing gadgets on the Windows 10 desktop, although it is somewhat more functional than the previous one (but not entirely in Russian). After installing it, just like in the previous case, you can proceed to selecting and adding gadgets through the desktop context menu.
The first difference is a much wider selection of gadgets: in addition to the standard ones, there are additional ones for all occasions - lists of running processes, advanced system monitors, a unit converter, and several weather gadgets alone.
The second is the presence of useful settings, which can be called up by launching 8GadgetPack from the “All applications” menu. Despite the fact that the settings are in English, everything is quite clear:
- Add gadget - adding and removing installed gadgets.
- Disable Autorun - disable auto-loading of gadgets when Windows starts
- Make gadgets larger - makes gadgets larger in size (for high-resolution monitors, where they may appear small).
- Disable Win+G for gadgets - since in Windows 10 the Win+G key combination opens the screen recording panel by default, this program intercepts this combination and turns on displaying gadgets based on it. This menu item is used to return the default settings.
You can download Windows 10 gadgets in this version from the official website http://8gadgetpack.net/
How to download Windows 10 gadgets as part of the MFI10 package
Missed Features Installer 10 (MFI10) is a package of components for Windows 10 that were present in previous versions of the system, but disappeared in 10, among which there are desktop gadgets, and, as our user requires, in Russian (despite English installer interface).
MFI10 is an ISO disk image, over a gigabyte in size, which can be downloaded for free from the official site (Update: MFI has disappeared from these sites, not sure where to look now) mfi.webs.com or mfi-project.weebly.com(there are also versions for previous versions of Windows). I note that the SmartScreen filter in the Edge browser blocks the loading of this file, but I was not able to detect anything suspicious in its operation (still be careful, in this case I cannot guarantee cleanliness).
After downloading the image, mount it on the system (in Windows 10 this is done simply by double-clicking on the ISO file) and run MFI10 located in the root folder of the disk. First, the license agreement will launch, and after clicking the “Ok” button, a menu will appear with a selection of components to install. On the first screen of which you will see the “Gadgets” item, which is required in order to install Windows 10 desktop gadgets.
The default installation is in Russian, and after it is completed, in the control panel you will find the “Desktop Gadgets” item (for me this item appeared only after entering “Gadgets” in the control panel search window, i.e. not immediately), work which, like the set of available gadgets, is no different from what it was before.
Gadgets for Windows 10 - video
The video below shows exactly where to get the gadgets and how to install them in Windows 10 for the three options described above.
All three programs reviewed also allow you to download and install third-party gadgets on the Windows 10 desktop, however, the developers note that a small number of them do not work for some reason. However, for most users, I think the existing set will be sufficient.
Additional Information
If you want to try something more interesting with the ability to download thousands of desktop widgets in different designs (example above) and completely transform the system interface, try it.
Windows 10 gadgets, also called widgets, are the most controversial option in the operating system. When installing them, most users do not even imagine that a personal computer can be used effectively without them. There is another part of users who have never worked with gadgets.
What is this anyway? Widgets are individual small programs that appear on your desktop. They perform a specific simple function, for example, they are a calculator or a music file player. There are also gadgets for Windows 10 that show the level of processor load, time or weather.
Thanks to them, many important functions can be concentrated compactly on the desktop.
As a result, working at the computer will become much easier and more comfortable. Such mini-programs need to be installed once to enjoy all the time. They start when you turn on the computer in automatic mode. RAM and processor are not heavily loaded when gadgets are running.
Why were widgets excluded from the latest version of Windows?
You may have noticed that already in Windows 8, desktop gadgets were removed. And in a later version the developer did not return them back. Why was such a step taken? For what reasons was this done?
The developer decided that they were no longer needed. As an alternative, Live Tiles were integrated into Windows 8. Not everyone liked the new interface. However, live tiles are very similar in functionality to gadgets. They contain a lot of useful information that is updated online.
In addition, the developer saw potential danger in such programs. Most likely, Microsoft simply played it safe in this case. It's hard to imagine that such a small operating system component would compromise security. It is unlikely that attackers use parts of the gadgets' program code to carry out their deeds. There is a possibility that activating widgets causes performance degradation. But you can find out about this only if you run this component and monitor the change in processor temperature. Gadgets for Windows 10 cannot be found on the developer’s website.
Most Windows 10 users simply accepted it as a fact that this happened. They began to actively use tiles. There were, however, those who decided to look for workarounds and return the lost interface element. They wondered how to return gadgets for Windows 10?
Especially for such conservatives, some third-party developers have released programs that replace widgets in functionality. Where can you find such programs? How to install and use them?
About programs that replace gadgets in Windows 10
8GadgetPack is one of the most popular programs to solve this problem. The program allows you to return widgets to your desktop. The elements that are displayed are very reminiscent of widgets in Windows 7. Installation of the program is quick and does not require much effort. The user must download the file for installation. After the download is complete, you should run it to begin the installation of 8GadgetPack.
The program supports an interface in Russian and is extremely easy to use.
By visiting the official website of the program, you can see the list of widgets that the developer offers. 8GadgetPack contains many widgets, including a gadget for turning off a personal computer. The set includes a gadget with a clock, calendar, weather and many other useful widgets. 8GadgetPack also works perfectly in the Windows 8 operating system.
Windows Desktop Gadgets is another program that can be used to bring gadgets back to your Windows 10 desktop. However, the program has a serious flaw. The list of widgets includes only those that were included in the package for Windows 7. The gadget panel from Windows Desktop Gadgets simulates elements from Windows 7. In addition, the program supports files that have the “.gadget” extension. Files with this extension can still be found on the Internet. It is not difficult to understand where the installed gadgets are located. They are located in the familiar control panel.
To solve the problem of missing gadgets in Windows 10, you can install MFI10. This analogue is a little more complex. Along with the programs, it has many other great options that were "cut" from Windows 10. The installation file (installer) has the extension ".iso".
- The MFI10 interface, unfortunately, has not been translated into Russian.
You'll have to use the English version. The functionality of the program will please any user.
- The MFI10 program is equipped with Media Center and NetFramework, has Movie Maker and DirectX 9.
Of course, you can find a dozen analogues of the above programs on the Internet. However, 8GadgetPack and Windows Desktop Gadgets confidently retain the palm. And it's deserved. You just need to warn against downloading files from unverified sources. This may cause your computer to become infected with viruses.
How to manage gadgets and what types exist
The gadget interface is extremely simple. In such mini-programs there is always a cross, several dots, an arrow and a wrench. Each of these symbols is responsible for a specific action.
When you click on the cross, the program closes and disappears from the panel. The arrow allows you to control the size of the window, making it larger or smaller. When you click on several points, the gadget will move.
To configure specific parameters of the gadget, you will need to press the wrench.
Most programs do not have any settings, since they are responsible for one specific function. However, if they exist, they are very simple.
Let's look at the most popular mini-programs for the Windows 10 operating system. How can each of them be useful?
- Virus blue. The time is displayed, you can find out about the temperature and parameters of the processor.
- Simple system date. Provides information about date and time, calendar.
- Rockstar extras. You can find out about the CPU load and its temperature. In addition, the gadget provides information about the characteristics of the video card.
- Considered to be the most informative weather mini-application. The user is provided with all the nuances about the weather: temperature, precipitation level, percentage of cloudiness, humidity, etc. In this widget, you can track many parameters that describe the weather. It is worth noting that the gadget informs you in advance about changes in temperature and the appearance of precipitation.
- Designed specifically for those who are used to monitoring all the parameters that indicate the performance of a personal computer. From the gadget it will become clear how many cores are in the processor, how loaded the CPU is, what temperature the processor is. The mini-program has many settings and allows you to adjust the parameters very precisely. What will be displayed in the IntelCoreSerie gadget is up to the user.
- Accu Weather Mini. It will also tell you about the weather in a particular place. Like ProWeather, you can see detailed information about the current weather and a forecast for a couple of days.
- Trash dump. With full confidence, this gadget can be called the most creative mini-program for Windows 10. Together with this gadget, an unremarkable shopping cart becomes an original thing. The user can change the appearance according to his mood. There are 50 different elements to choose from, with empty or filled appearance. The program settings allow you to monitor the amount of filled space. The indicator will tell you about the filling level. This gadget will help brighten up boring everyday life. Trash dump includes a large list of radio stations. In addition, the gadget is equipped with a calendar.
- Nvidia GPU Temp. Displays all characteristics of the NVIDIA video card. In particular, the type of video card and temperature are visible. And the video card temperature can be displayed in Celsius or Fahrenheit. The interface can be presented in different colors. There are 5 colors to choose from.
- Poison/Toxic/H20. It is a very extensive and convenient gadget. It contains three assemblies of programs. The Poison/Toxic/H20 kit includes network traffic and a clock, the main processes running on the computer. It provides up-to-date information about battery charge, memory and processor load levels, parameters of internal and external drives, and Internet status.
- Control System. The program helps control the functionality of the operating system. The control buttons are conveniently located. The design and number of different functions will please everyone.
What else is popular?
- Unit converter. It will be relevant to those who are confused about units of energy and area. This is perhaps the most convenient gadget for converting various quantities. Mass, length, time and temperature can all be quickly translated.
- Multi meter From it, the user receives live data on CPU load, memory size and memory used. The interface can be configured so that information is updated at certain intervals.
- Launch control. You can add links to programs for quick launch. You can configure quick access to various system options. In the main section, groups with shortcuts are added, deleted and edited. Through an additional menu, you can customize the appearance in detail.
- Provides information about disk partitions. You can see the free space that is available in each section. Using the wrench you can customize the sections to be displayed.
- Clapboarder gadget. Works with the clipboard. Elements do not disappear without a trace; they are displayed as a visual feed. If you click on an element, it is immediately sent to the buffer and is visible in the gadget. It has a wide selection of design themes, you can adjust the level of transparency and the length of the tape. A maximum of 100 items can be displayed. The style of the ribbon is also customizable.
To safely remove external devices, you can use Remove drive safely glassy.
Gadgets and XGadget program
The Gargets revived program adds a “Gadgets” item to the Windows 10 “options” menu. The package contains all the standard Windows 7 gadgets. The set includes widgets that tell you about the weather, news and CPU usage. There are also gadgets with news headlines and a calendar. If some gadgets are missing, they can be installed separately. Additionally, you can adjust the size, transparency level and some other settings.
There is also a program called XGadget, which will help you quickly decorate your desktop with the necessary widgets.
The program window already contains standard widgets and indicates gadgets in Windows 10 that can be downloaded.
So, we looked at ways to return gadgets to Windows 10. It is clear that every user will be able to download the above programs. Thus, the most difficult problem remains only the choice of gadgets. What will be on the gadget panel must be decided by the person who will use the computer.
Many of you remember well the gadgets in Windows 7 and 8. We expected to see such gadgets in Windows 10, but, unfortunately, we did not receive them. If you want to correct this omission, then you can download desktop gadgets for Windows 10 yourself. These gadgets are a complete copy of gadgets from previous versions of the OS. But if you take a distribution kit of old gadgets, they will not run on Windows 10; you need to download a modified version that is compatible with the new version of the OS.
How to return gadgets to your desktop
The desktop in Windows 10 has become more similar to the one familiar from the days of Windows 7 than it was on Windows 8. Therefore, the question of returning gadgets is quite appropriate. There is a place for them on the desktop, and users have an interest in gadgets. And this interest is explained not simply by the desire to decorate the desktop, but also to improve and simplify the interaction between you and the system. This page presents a package of gadgets, which includes the following gadgets:- Watch;
- Calendar;
- Weather;
- Currencies;
- Notes;
All old functions are available to you. For example, moving gadgets around the desktop or assigning them one specific location. The gadgets are visually no different from those you have already seen. They also support transparency. It’s a pity that the developers didn’t finalize their design to match the Windows 10 style. This makes the gadgets stand out a little on the desktop. As we have already said, many people use gadgets not for beauty, but for ease of work. In this regard, gadgets have not lost anything.
The most useful gadget is notes. If you download tablet gadgets, you can record your thoughts right on your desktop. Gadgets support fine-tuning and can also be configured automatically. The calendar gadget is very convenient to use for planning your schedule. It's a shame that it can't automatically download data from your mail or diary, but manual setup is also convenient. There are also unofficial gadgets that you can add as well. But original Windows 10 gadgets are the best choice you can make.
For those who want to significantly transform their desktop, we recommend downloading. In combination with gadgets, this program will turn your device into a real personal assistant.
Gadgets for Windows OS can not only quickly provide access to various system information, but also partially facilitate working at the computer. But Windows 10 lacks built-in gadgets, which forces users to download and install third-party apps and programs.
What are gadgets in Windows OS
The word "gadget" in English means "device". This refers to something (a device or program) that makes work easier or opens up new possibilities in a specific area. In Windows, gadgets are small system applications that can add new elements to personalization settings, provide various information about the processes and state of the PC, and slightly expand the functionality of the OS. Widgets are a type of gadgets, the peculiarity of which is the presence of a graphical interface adapted to perform a strictly defined set of functions.
Reasons for the lack of built-in gadgets in Windows 10
Even in the version of Windows 8, Microsoft abandoned the built-in gadgets for its operating systems. According to the developers, a number of serious reasons prompted them to take this step, namely:
- rebranding of the Windows OS design: the appearance of a “tiled menu” (dynamic tiles), which is partly intended to replace the usual set of widgets;
- increasing the security of personal data: according to Microsoft representatives, thanks to built-in gadgets, attackers are able to obtain almost any information they are interested in about a specific user;
- a sharp reduction in the number of users using built-in gadgets (widgets).
It would seem that gadget lovers were given an alternative in the form of dynamic tiles, but such a replacement turned out to be far from equivalent. The main problem is that dynamic tiles can only be placed in the Start menu, without being transferred to the desktop. Therefore, some users prefer third-party programs that can install familiar gadgets on their PC.
The “tile menu” can be customized (change the number and size of tiles)
Popular gadget installation programs for Windows 10
There are a considerable number of programs on the Internet for installing gadgets under Windows 10. Let’s look at the most popular and proven ones.
8GadgetPack
The main advantage of the program is the large number of widgets offered, as well as their advanced settings, including, in particular, autorun, scaling and assigning hot keys. To download and install the program, you must:
- Go to the official website of the developer and click on the Download button.
If you scroll down the page, you can find detailed instructions for installing the program (in English) - After downloading the installer, open it and click the Install button.
The program, unfortunately, does not support the Russian language - Once the installation process is complete, 8GadgetPack will automatically open a window of available widgets.
To place the desired widget on your desktop, right-click on it and select “Add”
Video: How to add a widget to your desktop using 8GadgetPack
Of all the widgets available in the 8GadgetPack program, the most interesting are:
- All CPU Meter - a widget that provides detailed information about processor and RAM load;
If you have a multi-core processor, the widget will show information about each core separately - Clipboarder - this widget saves all elements (text, media files) that are included in the OS “clipboard” when pressing CTRL+C, and also allows you to find and paste any of the saved elements;
The widget has no restrictions on the number of saved elements - Unit Converter is a universal converter of all known units of calculation (mass, temperature, speed, time, power, etc.).
The only drawback of the widget is the lack of support for the Russian language
Gadgets Revived
Another name for this program is Desktop Gadgets Installer. It allows you to fully integrate all standard widgets of Windows 7 with the “ten”. The algorithm for downloading and installing the program is as follows:
- Go to the official website of the developer and click on the line Download the Desktop gadgets installer.
To download the program, go to the DOWNLOAD SIDEBAR section - After downloading and running the installation file, select the program language and click Next.
Select the installation language (the program also supports Russian) - Wait until the installation process completes.
To open the list of available widgets, right-click on the desktop and select “Gadgets”
Video: How to add widgets using Gadget Revived
Gadget Revived provides only the standard set of widgets for the Windows 7 OS version, so it does not contain any unique or unusual applications.
Missed Features Installer 10 (MFI10)
The program is a whole range of system applications for Windows 10. It includes not only a set of desktop gadgets, but also additional tools for customizing the Start menu and a package of downloadable scripts for changing the registry, configuring autorun, and setting installation parameters for third-party software.
MFI10 is an ISO disk image, to open it you will need a CD/DVD drive emulator program, for example, Daemon Tools. The ISO file size is about one and a half gigabytes.
To download and install the program, you must:
- Go to the official website of CHIP magazine and download the MFI10 program autoloader by clicking on the Download button.
The MFI10 program has only an English version - After saving the startup file, run it and wait for the ISO image of the program to download.
Before you start downloading the ISO file, make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive (minimum 1.3 GB) - Once the download process is complete, mount the ISO image using any CD/DVD drive emulator (for example, Daemon Tools). The MFI10 main menu will open.
Click the Gadgets button to add gadgets to your desktop - To add desktop widgets, click the Gadgets button.
- The installed gadget package can be found in the “Desktop Gadgets” category of the “Control Panel” settings window.
The list of installed gadgets cannot be found through the search bar in Windows 10
MFI10, like Gadget Revived, provides users with only the standard set of widgets from Windows 7.
To search for and add new gadgets, you can use the Find Gadgets on the Internet tool in the lower right corner of the window If you only want to add gadgets to your desktop, then the author of the article advises against MFI10 in favor of Gadget Revived. The fact is that both programs offer an identical set of standard gadgets from Windows 7, but Gadget Revived consumes many times less operating system resources. In addition, to use MFI10, you must permanently store its ISO image on your hard drive.
XWidget
The main advantage of this program is that it is actually a platform for creating your own widgets. To start using the program, you should:
- Go to the official website and click the Download button.
The program is universal and suitable for any Windows OS - After launching the installer, select the desired installation components, then click the “Next” button.
In addition to the program itself, you can also install the free version of Avast antivirus - Once the installation process is complete, the program will launch automatically.
To open the program menu, you need to double-click on the XWidget icon on the Windows Quick Access Toolbar
Among the default widgets of the XWidget program, the most interesting are:
- EkerSystem - a simplified version of the “Task Manager” with information about the load on system resources (when you double-click on the widget, the familiar “Windows Task Manager” opens);
The widget shows information about the consumption of resources such as CPU, RAM, virtual memory and cache load - EkerSearch - a convenient and compact Google search bar (when you enter a query, a page opens in the browser);
You can pin the search bar on top of all windows for permanent access to it - EkerNotes - Internet speed counter: shows information about both outgoing and incoming traffic.
The blue arrow indicates the upload speed, and the green arrow indicates the receive speed.
If you want to take a creative approach to the design of desktop widgets, the author of the article recommends using the built-in editor of the XWidget program. To enter it, you just need to right-click on any widget and select the “Edit” option in the context menu. The capabilities of the built-in editor are varied: you can change already installed widgets or create your own widget from scratch. There is support for importing media files created in graphic editors (for example, Photoshop), and a “script code” editor (for creating an automatic algorithm for the widget). The editor's disadvantages are a confusing navigation system and “broken” Russification (hieroglyphs instead of letters).
When saving a new widget, its name must be entered exclusively in English AveDesk
The program does not require installation (unpacks from a zip file), is not demanding on system resources, has a simple design, and an interface in Russian. To start using the program you need.
