I’ve been asked this many times by Windows Vista users- “I like the clock but that black Sidebar blocks my wallpaper and looks ugly! Is there any way to get rid of the Sidebar?” Do you also want to get rid of the Sidebar but want the gadgets? If yes, then let me give you the good news. Yes, you can have the gadgets without the Sidebar in Windows Vista.

The solution is pretty simple. All you have to do is drag and drop the gadget(s) out of the Sidebar to the Desktop. Now close the Sidebar by right clicking on the empty area of the Sidebar and click ‘Close Sidebar’. That’s it! You now have the gadgets on the Desktop without the Sidebar.

You can move the gadgets anywhere you want on the Desktop. Weather, Calendar, Contacts and many other gadgets appear in a bigger size on the Desktop which in my opinion look amazing.

In case you change your mind and want the Sidebar back, just right click on the Windows Sidebar icon on the taskbar near the clock and click ‘Open’. Your Sidebar will be back and now you can drag and drop gadgets back onto the Sidebar.