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Microsoft advises disabling sidebar.exe (Windows Gadgets)

Tarvaln

Tarvaln

Senior member
Came across this article about disabling sidebar.exe
I was wondering how serious of a thread this could be to me. I wish Microsoft would fix the issues instead of disabling the program but that's not the case. I use CPU/GPU/Disk/Network Meter from http://addgadgets.com/ also the clock gadget from Microsoft.
I have a dual monitor setup. I play a work/play games in one monitor and keep the gadets up on the other.
If I choose to disable Gadets I think I can get by with a combo of Resource monitor and GPU-Z on my second screen but I have no idea what to do for a clock. Also, is there a way to change the appearance of resource monitor? I'd like something a little smaller and transparent.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
I wouldn't worry about them. Just run gadgets from trusted sources. Same level of thread as running any downloaded program.
 
I think this has more to do with MS's new found distaste for the desktop as opposed to any real security threat. Gadgets have been removed completely from the latest Win8 builds.
 
I was wondering how serious of a thread this could be to me. I wish Microsoft would fix the issues instead of disabling the program but that's not the case.
Click to expand...
This is somewhat common behavior, they issue a workaround for those willing until a code-fix is approved and distributed.

See this shortcut exploit from two years ago. A workaround was to disable shortcut icons in the meantime but a code-fix did come.

The exploit isn't that people are executing arbitrary code from existing gadgets, you have to download an infected gadget. If you've been using yours for some time and feel they're safe, you should be a-okay.
 
There really isn't any risk unless you go and install a gadget designed to exploit the flaw. Just install them from trusted sources as mentioned above, or don't install any new ones. It sounds like you already have all the ones you need, so you aren't installing any more, so no risk.
 
I've been using Windows 7 since it was first released and Vista before that. I use gadgets and have had zero trouble with them. The issue was that Microsoft wanted people to switch to Windows 8 and its "Apps", so they removed all gadgets from their website and told people they were dangerous. The one gadget that I really miss is WeatherBug. A few months ago WeatherBug shut down the weather servers and have gone to a fee-based "App" system. The gadget no longer functions.
 
I got rid of Gadgets with Vista and never even co9nsidered them in 7. I siomply do not like them, period.
 
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