Microsoft Gadgets Alternatives

Microsoft Gadgets is described as 'Are light-weight single-purpose applications that can sit on the users computer desktop, or are hosted on a web page. According to Microsoft, it will be possible for the different types of gadgets to run on different environments without modification, but this' and is an app. There are nine alternatives to Microsoft Gadgets for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Android, Android Tablet and BSD apps. The best Microsoft Gadgets alternative is Rainmeter, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Microsoft Gadgets are XWidget, Start8, Winstep Xtreme and 8GadgetPack.

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Alternatives list

  1. Rainmeter icon
     493 likes

    Transform your Windows desktop with customizable skins for displaying system resources, weather updates, RSS feeds, and more. Community-driven, Rainmeter offers real-time data monitoring, enhanced aesthetics, and privacy-focused features. Its portable design requires no installation and includes a dark mode.

    38 Rainmeter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  2. XWidget icon
     38 likes

    XWidget is a free desktop customization platform. It’s light, handy with powerful visual widget editor and very subtle animations. The Android page is found here: http://android.xwidget.com/

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Steam
     
  3. Start8 icon
     30 likes

    Return the Start Button to Windows 8 With these features:

    • Search for Windows 8-style (Modern UI) apps
    • Pin desktop and Metro apps to the start menu
    • Jump List support
    • Unified Search for apps, settings and files
    • Boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop
    • One click access to.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  4. Integrated desktop enhancement suite combining customizable docks, menus, taskbars, animated themes, and widget support, enabling advanced workspace organization, quick program access, multi-monitor support, seamless Windows integration, and extensive theme options.

    3 Winstep Xtreme alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  5. Plasma Workspaces is the umbrella term for all graphical environments provided by KDE. Plasma separates components into "data engines" and their visualization counterparts. This is intended to reduce the total programming effort when there are multiple possible...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  6. AveDesk icon
     3 likes

    AveDesk is a program that will give you the possibility to have icons on your desktop which could update themselves. Each icon of Avedesk is in fact a desklet, a little plug-in that can virtually do anything.

    17 AveDesk alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  7. Easily convert millions of web widgets, games and videos – designed to live on home pages, blogs or social network profiles – into gadgets for your Sidebar. If you like widgets on the web, you’ll love them on your Sidebar.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  8. gDesklets icon
     3 likes

    gDesklets is an architecture for "desklets", which are tiny applets sitting on your desktop in a symbiotic relationship of eye candy and usefulness.

    20 gDesklets alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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