Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Bring Back Gadgets to Windows 8 With This Tweak


About 8GadgetPack

8GadgetPack is a small utility with which you can install the original Gadget program files on Windows 8.

FAQ

  • Is it free?
    Yes, completely
  • I didn't really use gadgets previously. Is it really worth installing these?
    You should try it. The gadgets included are really useful when working with the PC. Unlike Metro-Apps gadgets can access useful system-information. The included Clipboard-Manager gadget for example will highly improve your productivity. With the Sidebar gadget, you can also make the gadgets visible while working with maximized windows.
  • What are the requirements?
    This is supported on all versions of Windows 8, except Windows RT and the beta of Windows 8 (the beta still contains gadgets).
  • Why is there a sidebar? Windows 7 didn't have one.
    This is just a gadget to help you keeping the gadgets organized and visible. You can right-click on it and select "close sidebar" to do so. Or you can even add more sidebars by adding the gadget "7 Sidebar". This is especially useful when working with multiple monitors. You can also make the sidebar appear automatically when touching the border and also make it transparent by disabling Aero in the gadget bar settings.
  • Will 8GadgetPack install some crap on my PC?
    No, the installer will only install the original Microsoft files and set the necessary registry entries to make the gadgets work again. The only addition is a small tool with which you can uninstall all Non-Microsoft gadgets and delete all gadget settings. There is also an uninstaller included which removes everything the installer added.
  • Aren't gadgets unsafe? After all, Microsoft removed them for a reason?
    Gadgets can contain viruses like any other software. Despite the warning when installing a gadget people seemed to think that it is safe to run any gadget. As long as you trust the source of the gadgets you install and you use anti-virus software you should be safe.
  • Will I be able to install gadgets other than the ones included?
    Yes, the installer will make it possible to open and install .gadget files.
  • When I try to install, there appears some error message.
    First, try to download the installer again and check if the error still appears. If that's not helping contact me and don't forget to mention the error message.
  • I already installed an older version of 8GadgetPack. What do I have to do to upgrade?
    Simply download the installer again and open it. It will update your installation and even update outdated gadgets automatically. You don't have to uninstall first.

Version history

  • 2012/11/13: Version 4.0 released.
    Resolved an error message preventing to install when an uninstall previously went wrong. Added several gadgets and updated a few. New users will get a message now that the sidebar is closable and that gadgets still can be moved to the desktop.
  • 2012/10/29: Version 3.0 released.
    Resolved an error message appearing when opening event viewer. Fixed a bug preventing the installer to work when windows is not installed on C:.
  • 2012/08/30: Version 2.0 released.
    Added 30 languages. Basically every major language is supported now. The Microsoft gadgets support only 6 languages (Chinese (simplified), English, French, German, Japanese, Russian) though, but they will fall back to English, so you can still use them. Contact me if you want a specific language added.
  • 2012/08/23: Version 1.0 released.
  • Download from HERE from my google drive by clicking on file and download
P.S. Lots of trouble with the download link, posted now on google drive to make sure it is secure

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