How to Keep Widgets on the Desktop on a Mac

The Dashboard on the Mac is a great feature that was introduced in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. It allows you to run widgets, which are mini-applications that perform simple functions like converting currency, providing weather forecasts or doing simple calculations. However, you can only run widgets while the Dashboard is open, which can be annoying. You can use the Terminal to keep widgets on your desktop.

Instructions

1. Go to "Utilities" > "Applications", or use the Finder’s pull-down menu under "Go" to go to the "Applications" folder. Double-click on "Terminal" to open the Terminal application.

2. Type in “defaults write com.apple.dashboard devmode YES”, and press the “Return” key on your keyboard.

3. Go to “Log Out User Name” in the Apple menu. Click on your account name and enter your password. Click “Log in” to get back into your account. This restarts your Dashboard.

4. Open your Dashboard by selecting it in the Dock or pressing “F12” on your keyboard.

5. Drag a widget to your desktop and press “F12” while holding down on the widget with your mouse. Release the mouse button and your widget will be on the desktop.

Tips & Warnings

• Place the widget back on the Dashboard by holding down on the widget with your mouse and pressing “F12” on the keyboard.

References

• Mac Guru Lounge: Keep Dashboard Widgets on the Desktop
• Ask Dave Taylor: Dashboard widgets on my Mac OS X desktop?