Web Talk

With Windows 7, the famous desktop sidebar has been revamped and enhanced. Now it is called Windows Gadget Platform and, like its previous version available in Vista, host a plethora of widgets and gadgets able to extend your desktop features. If you don’t like having your desktop scattered with dozens of useless tools, here is the steps to turn it off.

1. Click Start.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Now, click the Turn Windows features on or off link.
4. The Windows Features window should appear on your screen. Scroll down the list and look for Windows Gadget Platform.
5. Untick its checkbox.
6. Click OK.
7. Done!

Alternatively, you can also disable it for good via regedit.

1. Click Start.
2. In the Search box, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Located the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software \Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\ Windows\Sidebar
4. In the right pane, right-click and create a new DWORD. Name it  TurnOffSidebar.
5. Double click the DWORD you just create and set its value as 1.
6. Click OK.
7. Restart your computer for the change to take effect.