File extension GADGET
| File type | Windows Sidebar Gadget Format |
| Developer | Microsoft |
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What is a GADGET file?
File with a .GADGET extension contains a ZIP archive of network files and serves purposes of a small application – a GADGET for a rear bar in Windows Vista or Windows 7. Files contained within the archive can be in form of HTML code, JS scripts or CSS style spreadsheets – they can be unpacked by changing the .GADGET file extension into .ZIP. Installation files are stored within the system directory: Program Files/Windows Sidebar.
Initially, different types of gadgets were available with the Windows Live Gallery Service, however, presently it is no longer shared. Examples of GADGET type program are search and system tools, small games or RSS message channels.
Program(s) that can open the .GADGET file
How to open GADGET files
If you cannot open the GADGET file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports GADGET among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the GADGET file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the GADGET format files
The inability to open and operate the GADGET file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Windows Sidebar Gadget Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a GADGET file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the GADGET file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the GADGET from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the GADGET format
- The GADGET file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the GADGET file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a GADGET file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the GADGET file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the GADGET file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the GADGET file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .a6p | Adobe Authorware Application Format |
| .action | Mac OS X Automator Action Format |
| .actm | Autodesk AutoCAD Action Macro Format |
| .ahk | AutoHotkey Script Format |
| .air | Adobe AIR Rich Internet Applications |
| .apk | Google Android Package Format |
| .app | MAC Application Package Or Core System Service Format |
| .applescript | AppleScript Script Format |
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.GADGET) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected GADGET file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the GADGET file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. GADGET) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.