If Windows Gadgets are not loading or are missing from the Desktop, try the following:
- Use Task Manager to end the sidebar.exe process
- Right-click on the Desktop and select Gadgets from the Context Menu to restart sidebar.exe
Microsoft recommends disabling the Windows Sidebar and Gadgets because of security concerns.
- Microsoft Security Advisory (2719662): Vulnerabilities in Gadgets Could Allow Remote Code Execution
- Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerabilities in Gadgets could allow remote code execution