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Windows Vista - Windows Sidebar

Place a Gadget Directly on the Desktop

SUMMARY: Windows Sidebar gadgets can be moved to anywhere on your Windows Vista desktop.

Tired of your Windows Sidebar gadgets appearing all in one column on one side of your Windows Vista desktop? Wouldn't it be neat if gadgets could appear anywhere onscreen?

Well, they can!

Click on a Sidebar gadget with your left mouse button and keep the button held down. Now, move your mouse pointer to anywhere on the Desktop, release the mouse button, and the gadget will appear there!

Screenshot of a Windows Vista clock gadget placed above the Start Menu

The now-Desktop gadget can be re-moved if you find a better place, or you can move it back to the Windows Sidebar to get it out of the way.

Note that if you configure the Windows Sidebar to stay on top of other windows this only affects gadgets located inside the Sidebar. Gadgets moved to the Desktop can still be covered by other windows / applications. However, you can still temporarily move Windows Sidebar gadgets in front of other windows.