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Looking for Microsoft Fix-It tool to disable Gadgets

Anonymous
2017-10-20T00:25:13+00:00

Help. I can't find the Fix-It tool to disable gadgets. Searching for it led me to the two links below, but they just point to each other with no tool in sight.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2719662/microsoft-security-advisory-vulnerabilities-in-gadgets-could-allow-rem

https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/2719662

I used this tool once to turn them off (at Microsoft's recommendation for security reasons), but I just restored my system and they're on again. I'm not comfortable with editing the Registry. Hope someone can point me to the tool.

Thanks in advance.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

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  1. LemP 74,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2017-10-23T05:50:15+00:00

    You can use the gpedit.msc solution if you have Windows 7 Pro, Ultimate, or Enterprise.  The Group Policy Editor is not included in Windows 7 Home Premium.

    As suggested by that article, in my Win 7 Pro system, the entry is "Desktop Gadgets" rather than "Windows Sidebar" and you might have to configure both "Turn off desktop gadgets" and "Turn off user-installed desktop gadgets"

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-10-21T13:36:30+00:00

    Hi Jim,

    As you have ascertained (and I only found this out by doing a search for the Fixit) MicrosoftFixit50906 is no longer available.

    The only way to disable the sidebar now is to do it via the registry. Whether or not you are comfortable to disable via regedit is up to you ...and be very careful when making any changes. (Edit: I missed reading you are not comfortable editing the registry, sorry there is no other way).

    HERE are the instructions (Option 2: Disable Windows Sidebar and gadgets using the system registry).

    HTH

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-10-22T22:15:48+00:00

    Thanks for checking. I'm surprised (and a little hurt) that Microsoft removed MicrosoftFixit50906 because it leaves people (like me) who restores their system vulnerable. And I'm not comfortable with editing the registry. I mean, why delete a fix for their software? Heck, I think they should have plugged that hole in the updates.

    However, there seems to be a third option listed on Security Advisory 2719662 (https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/2719662): Disable the Sidebar (or Gadgets) in "Group Policy" using gpedit.msc. Can you confirm that it would work for a standalone PC? I found a radio button that looks like it would disable Gadgets.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-21T12:28:40+00:00

    No mention of disabling Gadgets. Does that mean Microsoft deleted the fix?  That's not nice.  Why not leave it there?  I just reinstalled Windows 7 and it updated just fine.  Are Gadgets not vulnerable now?  If so, why did they delete the fix???  Ending support usually doesn't involve deleting old solutions, just not updating them. Grrrr.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-10-20T20:04:42+00:00

    Hello Jim,

    Microsoft easy fix was previously known as Microsoft Fix it.

    The attached article also contains information about the end of support notification for legacy Fix it solutions.

    How to use Microsoft easy fix solutions

    Let us know if you have other concerns.

    Regards.

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