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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Microsoft Gadgets alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Rainmeter icon

    Rainmeter

     489 likes
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    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.

    34 Rainmeter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Rainmeter screenshot 1
     

    • Rainmeter is the most popular Windows alternative to Microsoft Gadgets.

    • Rainmeter is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Microsoft Gadgets.

    • Rainmeter is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Gadgets is Free and Proprietary
    • Rainmeter is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Gadgets is not according to our users
  2. XWidget icon

    XWidget

     38 likes
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    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/

    30 XWidget alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Steam
    XWidget screenshot 1
     

    • XWidget is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Microsoft Gadgets.

    • XWidget is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Gadgets is Free and Proprietary
    • XWidget is LightweightMicrosoft Gadgets is not according to our users
  4. Start8 icon

    Start8

     30 likes
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    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

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Start8 screenshot 1
     

    • Start8 is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Gadgets.

    • Start8 is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Gadgets is Free and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Start8 icon
    Start8

    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 dire...
    https://www.stardock.com
    Learn More
  6. Winstep Xtreme icon

    Winstep Xtreme

     3 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Winstep Xtreme screenshot 1
     
  8. KDE Plasma Workspaces icon

    KDE Plasma Workspaces

     10 likes
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    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
    Plasma Desktop Workspace
     

    • KDE Plasma Workspaces is the most popular Linux alternative to Microsoft Gadgets.

    • KDE Plasma Workspaces is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Gadgets is Free and Proprietary
  10. AveDesk icon

    AveDesk

     3 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    AveDesk screenshot 1
    AveDesk screenshot 2
    AveDesk screenshot 3
     
  11. Amnesty Generator icon

    Amnesty Generator

     3 likes
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    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
    Amnesty Generator screenshot 1
     

    • Amnesty Generator is the most popular Mac alternative to Microsoft Gadgets.

    • Amnesty Generator is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Gadgets is Free and Proprietary
  12. gDesklets icon

    gDesklets

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

    16 gDesklets alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    gDesklets screenshot 1
     
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