Read time: 2 minutes

Summary: Windows 7 introduced desktop gadgets, integrating them without the sidebar. However, some UAC settings can cause gadgets to disappear. A fix involves editing the registry. Improper settings can lead to data corruption, necessitating specialized recovery software like Kernel for Windows Data Recovery.

The most recent operating system, Windows 7, has made significant changes by removing the Windows Sidebar and integrating gadgets directly onto the desktop. When you install Windows 7, you’ll find eight default gadgets included in the beta version of the operating system: Calendar, CPU Meter, Clock, Currency, Feed Headlines, Picture Puzzle, Slide Show, Stocks, Media Center, and Weather. These gadgets offer the same level of customization and functionality as they did in Windows Vista.

While Windows 7 beta appears to outperform its predecessors in many functions, it exhibits some peculiarities, with gadgets being no exception. These gadgets are not compatible with specific User Account Control (UAC) settings. In Windows 7, disabling UAC entirely causes the gadgets to vanish from the desktop. To restore the gadgets to your desktop, you must re-enable the UAC settings. This process can be quite frustrating, as it necessitates a reboot to make the gadgets visible once again.

Read Also : Preventive measures to avoid problems in Windows 7

A solution exists for addressing this bug as well. Simply resolve it to ensure that your devices function correctly, even with UAC disabled. Prior to executing the steps outlined below, it is advisable to create a System Restore point or back up your registry.

  1. Start Run from Application Menu and open run.
  2. Type regedit and click Enter. It will open the Registry Editor wizard.
  3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sidebar\Settings.
  4. Create a new DWORD key (32-bit) and provide the name – AllowElevatedProcess.
  5. Double-click on the new key and change the value to 1.
  6. Close Registry Editor.

Following the steps outlined above, you can configure your devices to operate without any User Account Control (UAC) settings enabled.

Read Also : Change the way files to be shared in a Homegroup – Windows 7

Conclusion

Improperly configured settings in Windows 7 can lead to data corruption within its drives. When drive corruption occurs, files and folders can become compromised, and standard antivirus software may not be able to completely remove them. So, you should use Kernel for Windows Data Recovery software that will scan the logical and physical drives and let you save them in full health. It will save the files in their original format and structure.