Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Windows Guides’ Rating	Compatible with
3.5 out of 5

PROS: This program does an excellent job of putting useful widgets on your desktop that give you system information, news, the time, notes, and more. The program is free and, from my experience, bug free. CONS: I really don’t want to install toolbars with software, so I didn’t appreciate the offer. Also, there are a few “Vista” references still in the program code, but I’m sure these will be cleaned up as the program progresses. VERDICT: If you’ve always wanted the Windows 7 sidebar but currently use Windows XP or Vista, download this program! You wont be disappointed! If you’re like me (and dislike bells and whistles on your PC–I don’t wish to imply bells and whistles are bad), you may want to skip this one. PRICE: Free VERSION REVIEWED: 1.0 DOWNLOAD: Thoosje’s Windows 7 Sidebar

Thoojse’s Windows 7 Sidebar Review

Let me start by saying: “I don’t like the Windows Vista/7 sidebar.” Actually, I dislike it so much that I’ve never actually tried it. I don’t like widgets, gadgets, doo dids, and whistles. Silly me for not trying because the sidebar can actually be quite cool. No, I’m still not using it, but I see a lot of value in a tool like this and I am grateful to Windows Guides reader, Angie, for sharing this tool with me.

Installation

Installation is a breeze, but I’d look out for the toolbar offer; while I’m in favor of supporting software developers, I dislike toolbars. If you don’t like browser toolbars, be sure to install the sidebar without the Amazon or eBay toolbar. Also, if you download the build I did, you’ll notice some references to the “Vista” toolbar; this is the Windows 7 toolbar.

If you’re using UAC, you’ll be told that some features wont work with it enabled. As some of the widgets access system resources, you’ll get no data/inaccurate data. (If you’re using XP, you wont get this message.)

The sidebar is pretty and comes with a bunch of gadgets that, in true Windows 7 fashion, can be placed anywhere on the desktop. The look of the widgets isn’t consistent enough for me, but as I mentioned earlier in this review, I’m not a sidebar/widget/gadget fan, so that’s probably why I’m so picky.

You can also skin the clock to work with your style and desktop background.

(From the verdict) If you’ve always wanted the Windows 7 sidebar but currently use Windows XP or Vista, download this program! You wont be disappointed! If you’re like me (and dislike bells and whistles on your PC–I don’t wish to imply bells and whistles are bad), you may want to skip this one.

Download Thoosje’s Windows 7 Sidebar (Vista/XP)

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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