What the heck is the Gadget? (RESOLVED)

[Chim]

I went ahead and allowed it to be installed.
But, what the heck is it?  WHERE is it?
Would I even see it on Windows Vista?

[mwidunn]

Due to the feature's intrinsically flawed security structure -- Hey!  Remember: We're dealing with Microsoft here. -- about 10 months ago Microsoft disabled the "Gadget" feature on computers running the Win OS.  If you try to access Gadgets in CONTROL PANEL, you should receive a pop-up saying that you don't have the appropriate privileges. (Yes, this will occur, even if you are listed as the Administrator.)

See: http://www.zdnet.com/security-flaws-signal-early-death-of-windows-gadgets-7000000724/

I'm going to GUESS that that's what's happening in your case.

[midnight]

I have the Avast Gadget.

[Chim]

mwidunn, I was inquiring about the avast Gadget.  I'm wondering where it is, what it's for.  Or if it's something I can even see with avast FREE and / or Windows Vista.  You know ... like maybe the avast Gadget can only be seen and used with avast Pro and above ... and maybe only with Windows 7 and 8.

[Chim]

Ohhh, I finally see in that link what the Windows Sidebar is supposed to be.  I saw it in my Windows Vista Control Panel and wondered what was up with that.  I'm obviously familiar with Blog Sidebars, but had never heard of a Windows Sidebar.

[Gandalf1369]

Due to the feature's intrinsically flawed security structure -- Hey!  Remember: We're dealing with Microsoft here. -- about 10 months ago Microsoft disabled the "Gadget" feature on computers running the Win OS.  If you try to access Gadgets in CONTROL PANEL, you should receive a pop-up saying that you don't have the appropriate privileges. (Yes, this will occur, even if you are listed as the Administrator.)

See: http://www.zdnet.com/security-flaws-signal-early-death-of-windows-gadgets-7000000724/

I'm going to GUESS that that's what's happening in your case.

Microsoft has NOT disabled gadgets!  Are they a possible security flaw - YES, but Microsoft has not disabled them in Windows 7.  I am currently running Windows 7 64bit SP1 with all of the Microsoft updates applied and use both the weather gadget and the RAM/CPU "speedometer" gadget on a daily basis.  They work fine.

Microsoft has announced that they will no longer support gadgets for Vista/7/8 OS, but for those people who want to continue using them they still work.

[Chim]

Oh then I take it that the Windows Gadgets to which they refer in that link include the avast Gadget.  Is that correct?  If so, and if the avast Gadget is this Popup-looking thing:

http://techdows.com/2011/02/avast-gadget.html

... then it doesn't look like something I need.  I guess I'll have to reinstall avast and opt NOT to have the avast Gadget be installed.  Or can I remove it via the Windows Add / Remove function?

[Gandalf1369]

No need to uninstall and then reinstall.  Just go to the "Program and Features" in the Windows Control Panel, chose avast from the program list, and then click on Uninstall/Change.  Choose "Change" and then just untick the avast gadget checkbox.

[Chim]

Thanks, Gandalf!
I'll do that once I get back to my computer.
Right now I'm at my sister's house using her computer.