How to use Windows 7 desktop gadgets

One helpful feature of the new Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft is the ability to display "Gadgets" on your desktop. Gadgets are little windows that allow you to view information such as the weather, sports scores or photos without having to open up a Web browser or new program. To start installing gadgets, right-click on your desktop and choose "Gadgets." To use most Gadgets, you'll need to have an Internet connection.

1. To install the Weather gadget, click on it, and choose "Add." Once it's on your desktop, to change the city for which weather information is displayed, click on the wrench icon. Type in your current location, search for it, and once it's confirmed, click "OK."

2. To get the Google Gadget, go to http://bit.ly/4Jr9mb and click "Download," "Install" and save it to your computer. Once it's downloaded, find it on your computer and double-click on it to install it. Just type your search terms into the box to do a Google search.

3. To install the currency converter, right-click on your desktop, choose "Gadgets" and right-click on the currency converter to add it.

4. To search through thousands of other free downloadable gadgets, go to http://bit.ly/4U4tCm.

5. To remove a gadget, you can either hover your mouse over it and click the X, or open up your gadgets collection by right-clicking on your desktop, choosing Gadgets and right-clicking on the gadget you want to uninstall.

Etan Horowitz can be reached at ehorowitz@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5447. To read his technology blog, visit OrlandoSentinel.com/techblog.

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