You can keep track of how much memory and CPU your computer is using by adding the CPU Meter gadget to your Sidebar in Windows Vista. The CPU is simply a reminder that helps you monitor your computer’s performance. This gadget can definitely come in handy to show you when you need to free up some space.
Best Windows Vista Gadgets. The DriveInfo gadget monitors the free space available in your hard drive, and displays it in GB and a percentage. The DriveInfo gadget can save you a lot of time if your frequently check up on the free space in your hard drives. Windows 10 Desktop Gadgets Download Windows Desktop Gadgets called Windows sidebar in Windows Vista is a discontinued widget engine for Microsoft Gadget. It was introduced with Windows Vista, in which it features a sidebar anchored to the side of the desktop. Its widgets can perform various tasks, such as displaying the time and date.
Add the CPU Meter gadget to the Sidebar.
When you add the CPU Meter gadget to the Sidebar, you can find and view the gadget’s information more quickly and easily. Just click the Gadgets symbol (the plus sign) at the top of the Sidebar to open the Gadget Gallery. Then click and drag the CPU Meter gadget to the Sidebar.
Use the readouts to monitor your CPU and memory use.
You can monitor the following things:
CPU Usage monitors how hard your CPU is working to process various programs and processes running on your computer.
Random Access Memory (RAM) monitors the percent of your computer memory that is being used.
You can’t make or change any settings that you track with this gadget. It’s just a little tool that helps you watch your computer’s performance. If memory is almost at 100%, consider freeing some space. If the CPU is at a higher percentage, odds are you’ve got lots of programs running which could be slowing down your computer’s performance; consider shutting some down!
If you want more detail about your computer memory usage, use the Start menu to display the Control Panel and choose System and Maintenance. The System links allow you to monitor the processor speed and the amount of RAM available.
Using a fantastic and completely free piece of software you can add the “Vista Sidebar” back to Windows 10. This guide will give you an overview of the software and its features.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the Sidebar when it appeared in Windows Vista. It took up a bit too space on what were typically smaller monitors at lower resolutions. Today, with monitors so large and resolutions so high – the sidebar has become a welcome part of my Windows 10 desktop. The App is free, small and uses minimal system resources – give it a try! :)
Free Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets Download
Desktop Gadgets For Windows 10
Head over to the 8GadgetPack home page and click the download button in the upper-right corner of the site. Run the installer once the download has completed.
Once the installation has finished 8GadgetPack will launch. By default, 3 ‘gadgets’ will be visible – a clock, a clipboard and the weather.
Almost all of the gadgets have some configurable settings. To find them, hover your cursor over the gadget you want to customize until a series of buttons appears. Click the one with a small “wrench” icon (see screenshot below).
Then you’ll be able to customize that gadget.
There are a couple of ways to add new gadgets to your toolbar – the first is to right-click anywhere on your Desktop and select Gadgets from the pop-up menu.
The second is to right-click an empty space within the sidebar itself and select Add gadgets… from the pop-up menu.
Make sure to scroll through each page – there are a lot of gadgets to choose from!
If you right-click anywhere inside the sidebar and select Options from the pop-up menu, you’ll be able to configure the sidebar itself. There are a lot of settings and features you can enable to really make the sidebar your own.
Some of the gadgets I find most useful include: the default weather gadget, the ‘basic’ calendar gadget, Network Monitor II and Top 5 Processor.