How to Remove a Sidebar Search

Microsoft Windows Vista, released in 2007, offered PC users a sleek new interface with several upgraded features. Unfortunately, using the best features on Windows Vista was not highly intuitive, involving several "help file" consultations and a few headaches. One of the new items that confused some users was the "Windows Sidebar," a desktop application that displays small "gadget" programs for you to use at a moment's notice. According to Microsoft, these gadgets are "mini programs that give you information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools." In theory this sounds great, but in practice certain sidebar operations can be tricky. Downloading new sidebar gadgets is very easy with Microsoft's "Personalize Windows Vista Sidebar" page (see Resources), but the procedure for removing them when you've found a better gadget is not immediately apparent. Luckily, the process is actually quite simple with the right steps, and you can remove that old sidebar search gadget in just a few desktop clicks.

Instructions

1. 

   On the Windows desktop, mouse over the sidebar and right-click on the search gadget you want to remove.

2. Click on "Close Gadget." The search function is now gone from the sidebar; however, the search gadget is still installed on your computer for future use if you ever decide to re-add the item to your sidebar. To completely remove the sidebar search gadget from your entire computer, follow the next steps.

3. 

   Right-click on the Windows sidebar.

4. 

   Click on "Add Gadgets" to open a window containing all sidebar gadgets installed on your PC, including the search gadget.

5. Right-click on the sidebar search gadget you want to remove, and click to select "Uninstall."

6. 

   Click "Uninstall" again when a Windows notification pops up, asking you to confirm the uninstall process. After you click, the program will automatically be removed from your PC and it will no longer appear on the listing of available sidebar gadgets for Vista.

References

• MSNBC News: Associated Press "Microsoft: Vista to Hit Shelves Jan. 30," by Allison Linn
• Microsoft: Vista -- Explore the Features: Windows Sidebar and Gadgets
• How to Remove a Sidebar Search

Resources

• Microsoft: Personalize Windows Vista Sidebar