1. Windows 7 Gadgets to keep you informed about your system
For many users, having instant, up-to-date, information about a system means an efficient
environment. Windows 7 Desktop Gadgets could be the answer
1.Margu Notebook Info 2
Margu Notebook Info 2 offers plenty of laptop/notebook-specific information, in a simple to read
layout. With this Gadget, you'll have real-time updates for: user selected WLAN and LAN
interfaces, net usage, multicore usage, clock/calendar, CPU, battery, uptime, power plans,
RAM/CPU usage, and hard disk usage. You can add/remove any of the information you want
displayed and even rearrange the order in which they are displayed. Margu will even
automatically check for updates and alert you should one appear. If you're looking for a one-stop-
shop for laptop information, Margu could possibly fit the bill.
2.Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor Gadget
Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor Gadget gets you more useful information about nearby wireless
connections. You can see SSID, data rate, channel, signal strength, layout of local connections,
current IP address. You can also skin the widget and configure the level of opacity. If you click
on one of the wireless networks on the Xirrus 'map' you will be presented with a usage history of
the available networks. The only downfall to this little widget is that, with its constant
sonar/radar-like movement, it can be a bit distracting. But for anyone that needs more information
about their wireless networks, this is a real gem.
3.Network Meter Gadget
Network Meter Gadget is one of the best of the wireless traffic monitors. In a single glance you
get information about: SSID, internal IP, external IP, blacklisted IP ratio, speed test, firewall
status, connection security status, signal, and upload/download stats. The flyout features include:
Name of network connection, name of adapter, max speed, MAC address, subnet mask, DHCP
lease obtained/expires, default gateway, and much more. From the configuration screen, you can
set up such options as: polling interval as well as how often to save the chart data, display
options, color scheme, and more.
4.Drives Meter
Drives Meter allows you to not only get a quick glimpse of the health and state of your drives, but
also allows you to set up warnings for low disk space. The disk space warnings are based on
remaining space left and will play a sound when the threshold is met. The Gadget displays disk
activity, used/remaining/total disk space. This Gadget is incredibly handy if you're looking to
help troubleshoot issues with a disk (finding out if a massive amount of data is being written), or
if you just need a little help knowing when you are close to reaching the danger zone of disk
space usage.
5.System Information
System Information is a sort of all-in-one Gadget that displays information about: the operating
system, uptime, CPU, memory, hard disk(s), network drives, CD/DVD, battery, and network.
You can have this Gadget display as much or as little information as you need. There are three
'modes': Normal (all information is displayed on screen at once), Compact (only headers are
displayed – information is displayed in fly-out windows when an icon is clicked), Compressed
(only one icon and all information is shown in fly-out window when an icon is clicked).

2. Bottom line
Just because Microsoft has determined that Windows 7 Gadgets are no longer supported,
doesn't mean you have to do without these helpful tools. If you're looking for Gadgets to
hand out system information, take a look at one (or more) of these and see if they don't
offer you all the data you need for your Windows 7-based desktop