Getting the windows sidebar working on Windows 8.1

There are a few desktop gadgets that I like having: a clock, calendar, weather, twitter feed, and magic folder launcher.  Since Windows 8 has turned off windows sidebar and gadgets due to security issues, you have to do a little work to get them back.

Step 1

Install 8gadgetpack (free)

Step 2

Run a registry command to enable explained here

In case that site gets lost, here are the contents of the .reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar]
"TurnOffSidebar"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar]
"TurnOffSidebar"=-

Step 3

Right-click on the windows desktop and select Gadgets.  The window should pop up and allow you to start putting widgets on your desktop again.  7 Sidebar is useful for grouping widgets together and docking them to a single side of your monitor.