How to Make a Windows Sidebar Gadget

Adding a shortcut to your favorite application or website on your Windows Sidebar is easy.

People running Windows on their PCs might choose to activate the Windows Sidebar, a lone bar on the right side of the desktop that features a selection of gadgets. These gadgets are shortcuts to tools and applications you might use frequently, such as a clock, a calendar or your contacts list. Windows offers a selection of pre-made widgets for popular applications. However, if you wish to make your own Windows Sidebar gadget, you can easily create one with Amnesty Widgets.

Instructions

1. Go to the Widgetbox "Make a Widget" page and select the type of gadget you would like to make for your sidebar. The pre-made options include popular websites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can choose "Flash" or "HTML" and copy in the code or URL of the application you would like to convert to a widget. Click "Make a Widget" when you finish.

2. Download Amnesty Generator (see Resources) and launch the program. Click the drop-down box and select your widget from Step 1, then paste the HTML code Widgetbox provided you with into the empty field.

3. Type a name for your sidebar gadget in the "Name" field and adjust the height and width if necessary. Click "Browse" to select an image from your computer to use for your gadget, then click "Generate."

4. Click the "+" at the top of the sidebar on your desktop. Double-click the gadget you created in Step 3 to add it to your sidebar.

References

• Windows: Sidebar and Gadgets Overview
• JKWebTalks: How to create sidebar gadget for Windows Vista, Windows 7 and OS X

Resources

• Download Amnesty Widgets
• WidgetBox: Make a Widget