How to Install A Sidebar on Windows XP

The Sidebar is an application present in Windows Vista that allows the user to place "Gadgets" on the sidebar that hover over the desktop when running. These Gadgets are applications that range from clocks and datebooks to real-time weather tracking, games and stock reports. Freeware programs have been developed by independent developers to allow users of Windows XP to install and run Sidebar on XP. The Sidebar and Gadgets are similar to Apple's Mac OS X Dashboard and Widgets on-screen display.

Things You'll Need

• Computer running Windows XP

Instructions

1. Go online and download the Sidebar for Windows XP program. The link to a working version of this application has been included in the Resources section.

2. Install the Sidebar program that you have downloaded and place it on your Desktop for easy access. Double-click the file to initiate the installation. The file will be a ZIP file, so you will need to extract it by double-clicking on it. Your Windows XP should automatically unzip the files.
   Click on "Windows_Sidebar_Installation" and allow the program to install into your Programs folder on the hard drive.

3. Open the Windows Sidebar program folder and double-click on the program icon to launch the Sidebar.

4. Visit the Microsoft Gadget site, available under Resources, and download the Gadgets you wish to use.
   Use Gadget Extractor included in the Windows Sidebar program folder to unzip the Gadget files, which will than be incorporated into the Sidebar.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use caution when downloading third-party applications, such as Windows Sidebar for XP. The official Sidebar works for Vista only; the Sidebar programs for XP are developed by independent developers, not Microsoft, this writer or this website.

References

• TechBlissOnline: Get and Install the Real Windows Sidebar

Resources

• Thoosje's Vista Sidebar 3.0: Download Windows Sidebar Application
• Personalize Windows Vista Sidebar: Get Gadgets for the Sidebar