Microsoft is effectively trying to make people not to use the desktop and focuses on the new starting screen, with dynamic tiles taking on the features of some gadgets. However, if you are still longing for the classic gadgets and need something to brighten up your desktop, you can easily install some gadgets.
All you have to do is to install a lightweight application called 8GadgetPack that brings up all the widgets missing in No. Eight. They are, as a matter of fact, based on original system files.
Installing and launching 8Gadget Pack for the first time
You can download the program from our website - 8GadgetPack for Windows 8. The installation process is fast and trouble-free, you just have to follow the simple rule of "click Next". After a while you will see the widgets from the previous versions of Windows on your desktop, with the leading clock and weather.
What draws attention is a sidebar with the widgets. This feature - not existing in, for example, Windows 7 - allows to put the widgets in order and create many sites with various widgets between which you can later switch with navigation buttons. However, you don't have to use it; you can drop the gadgets on any place on your desktop using the "drag-and-drop" method. The sidebar can be closed by right-clicking on it and choosing Close sidebar.
Adding gadgets
To add new gadgets you only have to click on a plus icon in the upper right corner of the sidebar. In here you can find 45 gadgets that will allow you to set up your own weather check-up centre, monitor you system's performance, check on hard drive, as well as handy widgets such as a notepad or Web radio. As I have mentioned earlier, 8GadgetPack installs original system files taken from the previous version of the system. This proves useful, as you can download any new gadgets with .gadget extension from the Internet without worrying about compatibility.
8GadgetPack integrates also with the context menu in Windows 8. In View you can find Show desktop gadgets feature that allow to manage the visibility of the widgets on your desktop. This way they are integrated just like in case of Windows 7.
While dynamic tiles in Windows 8 can replace some of the gadgets, the widgets bring more potential and collect more useful information about the system. There are no tiles for monitoring Internet connection's speed or CPU performance. However, if you need something more-feature packed then gadgets, the final release of Rainmeter is worth trying, as this program can turn your PC into an advanced information centre.
