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What is the purpose of Sidebar.exe?

Anonymous
2014-05-03T21:49:33+00:00

What is the purpose of this file. It Is slowing down the logging off process of my computer by not closing? 

Can it be removed?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-05T21:48:26+00:00

    Go to here.. http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-disable-windows-7-sidebar-gadgets and follow the instructions to disable the 'Windows Gadget Platform'..

    The advice is sound, but avoid clicking on any other links on the website or you might well end up with bigger issues than sidebar.exe.. :-)

    Such are the issues when visiting a website that has been 'monetized'

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-04T17:34:06+00:00

    Thanks very much for the info.

    Do you recommend using the Microsoft Fix it solution to disable and remove the gadget sidebar

    files.

    Andre

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-04T04:04:00+00:00

    +1

    Thanks for adding that security advisory Ramesh Srinivasan. I had a quick look but couldn't locate it so I went with the vanilla gadgets page instead.

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  3. Ramesh 176.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2014-05-04T03:57:01+00:00

    If I remember correctly, the Sidebar was introduced with Windows Vista. AFAIK, its only purpose with Windows 7 is governing the desktop gadgets.

    If you have no gadgets on your desktop, I don't believe that you will find sidebar.exe in your Task manager's Processes. This concerns me slightly as Microsoft has issued a security warning about desktop gadgets and has no plans to continue support for them.

    Gadgets have been discontinued

    I've used a few of hte Microsoft gadgets but I have no real use for them. If you have an active (or invisible) third-party gadget that is causing problems, I'd take steps to get rid of it.

    Addendum:

    Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerabilities in Gadgets could allow remote code execution

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2719662

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-04T03:23:41+00:00

    If I remember correctly, the Sidebar was introduced with Windows Vista. AFAIK, its only purpose with Windows 7 is governing the desktop gadgets.

    If you have no gadgets on your desktop, I don't believe that you will find sidebar.exe in your Task manager's Processes. This concerns me slightly as Microsoft has issued a security warning about desktop gadgets and has no plans to continue support for them.

    Gadgets have been discontinued

    I've used a few of hte Microsoft gadgets but I have no real use for them. If you have an active (or invisible) third-party gadget that is causing problems, I'd take steps to get rid of it.

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