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====Gadgets====
With Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced the [[MicrosoftWindows Desktop Gadgets|gadgetsWindows Sidebar]] to displayhost information[[Microsoft suchGadgets]] asthat imagedisplayed slideshowsdetails andsuch RSSas feeds onand thesports user's desktopscores; the gadgets could optionally be displayedplaced on athe sidebarWindows docked to a side of the screendesktop.<ref name="MediaCenterGadget">{{citeWith web|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-windows-gadgets|title=Windows 7, Featuregadgets Focus:can Windowsstill Gadgets|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|author-link=Paulbe Thurrott|date=Octoberplaced 6,on 2010|work=SuperSite forthe Windows|publisher=[[Penton (company)|Penton]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105040610/http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-windows-gadgets|archive-date=January 5desktop, 2013|access-date=Junebut 15, 2015}}</ref> Inthe Windows 7,Sidebar the sidebaritself has been removed, butand gadgetsthe canplatform stillhas bebeen placedrenamed onas the''Windows desktop.<ref name="MediaCenterGadget"/>Desktop Gadgets can be brought to the foreground on top of active applications by pressing {{keypress|Win|G}}''.<ref name="MediaCenterGadget"/>Gadgets Severalare newmore featuresclosely forintegrated gadgetswith are[[Windows introducedExplorer]], includingbut newthe desktop contextGadgets menuthemselves optionscontinue to accessoperate gadgets and hide all active gadgets; high DPI support; andin a featuresingle that<code>sidebar.exe</code> canprocess automatically(unlike rearrangein aWindows gadgetVista basedwhere onGadgets thecould positionoperate ofin othermultiple gadgets<code>sidebar.exe<ref name="MediaCenterGadget"/code> processes).<ref name=":0">{{Citecite web |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/gadgetplatform/introduction-to-the-gadget-platform |title=Introduction to the Gadget Platform |last1=Kennedy |first1=John |last2=Satran |first2=Michael |date=May 31, 2018 |website=[[Microsoft Developer Network]]|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414213733/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/gadgetplatform/introduction-to-the-gadget-platform |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Additional newNew features for Gadgets include:<ref cachedname=":0"/><ref gadgetname="MediaCenterGadget">{{cite content;web|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-windows-gadgets|title=Windows optimizations7 forFeature touch-basedFocus: devices;Windows andGadgets a|last=Thurrott gadget|first=Paul |date=October 6, 2010 |work=SuperSite for Windows |publisher=[[WindowsPenton Media Center(company)|Penton]] |archive-url=https://web.<refarchive.org/web/20130105040610/http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-windows-gadgets name|archive-date="MediaCenterGadget"January 5, 2013 |access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref>
* A context menu option on the desktop to access the Gadgets Gallery to add, display, or uninstall gadgets is now available
Gadgets are more closely integrated with [[Windows Explorer]], but the gadgets themselves continue to operate in a single <code>sidebar.exe</code> process, unlike in Windows Vista where gadgets could operate in multiple <code>sidebar.exe</code> processes. Active gadgets can also be hidden via a new desktop menu option; Microsoft has stated that this option can result in power-saving benefits.<ref name=":0" />
* Gadgets that display details from online sources can now also display content that has been cached
* High DPI support
* Larger controls designed for touch-based interaction
* Rearrangement capabilities automatically arrange gadgets based on their proximity with other gadgets
* When gadgets are displayed on the desktop, there is a context menu option to display or hide them; hiding gadgets can result in power savings<ref name=":0"/>
Windows 7 also introduces a single new gadget, one for Windows Media Center that displays links to the various sections (e.g., ''Pictures + Videos'') of its interface.<ref name="MediaCenterGadget"/>
====Branding and customization====
For [[original equipment manufacturer]]s and enterprises, Windows 7 natively supports the ability to customize the wallpaper that is displayed during user login. Because the settings to change the wallpaper are available via the Windows Registry, users can also customize this wallpaper.<ref name="LogonUI">{{cite web|url=http://withinwindows.com/blog/2009/03/15/windows-7-to-officially-support-logon-ui-background-customization|title=Windows 7 to officially support logon UI background customization|last=Rivera|first=Rafael|date=March 15, 2009|work=Within Windows|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414164736/http://withinwindows.com/blog/2009/03/15/windows-7-to-officially-support-logon-ui-background-customization|archive-date=April 14, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=June 15, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Options to customize the appearance of interface lighting and shadows are also available.<ref name="Logon">{{cite web|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/change-and-customize-windows-7s-logon-screen-wallpaper/|title=Change and customize Windows 7's Logon screen wallpaper|last=Shultz|first=GredGreg |date=July 25, 2011|work=[[TechRepublic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-datework=April[[TechRepublic]] 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414180420/https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/change-and-customize-windows-7s-logon-screen-wallpaper/ |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===Windows Explorer===
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