Windows Vista and 7 incorporated sidebars for its gadgets along the right side of the desktop area.
However, Microsoft has scrapped sidebars in Windows since then.
A sidebar can be a useful addition to the Windows desktop for many things, such as adding shortcuts.
Would you like to restore a sidebar in Microsofts more recent desktop platforms?
If so, try adding one of these third-party software sidebars to Windows 11 or 10.
The publisher originally released MetroSidebar to add a matching metro-themed sidebar to Windows 8.
It includes 11 default widgets users can select to add and remove from the bar.
However, that store is seemingly no longer available since its tab displays a Connection problem message.
So, youll have to make do with the default 11 tile widgets that come with the sidebar.
However, MetroSidebars default tile widgets should be enough to satisfy most users.
Each widget has customization options you’re free to configure by right-clicking it and selectingTile configs.
If you want to add software shortcuts to this sidebar, select to include its Launcher tile.
Then select software to add to the widget and clickOpen.
To access sidebar options in MetroSidebar, tap the…button at the bottom of the bar and selectSettings.
SelectAlways on topif you prefer to keep the sidebar always visible over open windows.
It enables you to create groups of shortcuts accessible on a desktop sidebar.
Right-poke the sidebars system tray icon to selectDock LocationandLeftorRight.
Add transparency to the sidebar by dragging the slider for theSet opacity barsetting on the menu to the left.
you could also keep the sidebar over software windows by selectingAlways on top.
To customize the sidebar, press itsClick to change controls(cog) button at the top.
you could also rearrange the groups by dragging them within theGroup Orderbox.
This sidebar incorporates panels that are much the same as widgets with different functions.
Unlike MetroSidebar and SideBar, it includes different skin themes you’re free to choose for the sidebar.
SelectMove UpandMove Downto reposition them.
ClickRenameto change a panels title.
To change specific widget options, select thePanel Propertiesoption.
To do so, double-click Quick Launch on the sidebar to expand.
To change the sidebars skin, selectOptionson the softwares context menu and clickAppearance.
Then it’s possible for you to choose a different theme on theSkindrop-down menu.
TheAppearancetab also includes options for repositioning the sidebar, auto-hiding it when not used, and applying transparency.
PressApplyto save any options you’ve changed.
If you need any help utilizing Desktop Sidebar, check out the softwares manual.
Right-nudge the sidebar and selectHelpon the menu.
TheOverviewandPanelssections there provide further details for Desktop Sidebars options and panels.
Instead of cluttering the desktop and taskbar with shortcuts, add them to your installed sidebar.
Then youll have an altogether tidier Windows desktop area.
They restore the gadgets in Windows 10 and provide more widgets in Windows 11.
