This is an old revision of the document!
1- Find a Windows 7 machine that matches your 2008 architecture. For me, that was 64 bit
2- Copy from Windows 7 C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar to the same location on your 2008 machine. The rest of the steps all happen from your 2008 machine.
3- From an elevated command prompt in the “C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar” folder, run the following
regsvr32 atl.dll
regsvr32 sbdrop.dll
regsvr32 wlsrvc.dll
sidebar.exe /RegServer
4- Paste the following text into Notepad and save it as a .reg file. This will add necessary registry keys for sidebar.exe and also add a “Gadgets” entry to the context menu on your desktop.
Or download the Reg File http://www.solidpost.com/wiki/Telechargement/Gadgets.zip
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sidebar]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sidebar\Compatibility]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sidebar\Settings]
“SidebarDockedPartsOrder”=“0x1,0x2,0x3,0x4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Gadgets]
“Position”=“Bottom”
“Icon”=“C:\\Program Files\\Windows Sidebar\\sidebar.exe,-100”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Gadgets\command]
@=“C:\\Program Files\\Windows Sidebar\\sidebar.exe /showGadgets”
5- You should now be able to right click on your desktop and choose Gadgets to start adding gadgets. Installation happens the same way as your Windows 7 machine. You download a .gadget file and then double click it to install it. Have Fun!