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W8 Sidebar comes as an alternative to Windows Sidebar, but compared to this, W8 Sidebar is safe and secure, being a standalone program, not a gadget***. Besides, W8 Sidebar offers a rich set of tools, targeting both beginners and advanced users.
We would like to note that some of the tools (features) were introduced at the suggestion of users and we are always pleased to see users who come up with new ideas to support program development, or correcting and improving its functionality.
Therefore we intend in the near future to open a forum page on the program website, where users can express their ideas and opinions about the program.
Until then, please contact us by clicking "Contact Us" on the left side of the page.
***"Microsoft took off all the Gadgets which were being hosted by it, in its Windows Personalization Gallery, as they could allow Remote Code Execution which could in turn compromise your computer. Gadgets have been deprecated and outclassed by the new live tiles and apps."
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(Current version: 7.5.0)
Note: Do not run the program from within the downloaded archive, it will not run properly !
1. download compressed file - 746 KB (764,572 bytes)
2. unpack (unzip)
3. run W8 Sidebar.exe - 2.04 MB (2,143,232bytes)
If you already use the program:
- manually download the file and replace the old W8 Sidebar.exe with the new version, in "My Documents\W8 Sidebar" folder.
or
- click "Download & Update" and let the program do the update automatically (if it has internet access, it will alert you when a new version is available)
Name: W8 Sidebar.exe
Size: 2.04 MB (2,143,232 bytes)
MD5: f6410a73ee7fdfd6c2c7e7669b096621
SHA256: 1fa829886e9476de846b316affc67dc7875005944bb722dc2a214300d01f8ed2
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Change log:
v.7.5 - December,3,2015
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Added features:
1. Hardware Temperature panel.
2. Net Traffic Monitor module.
Changes:
1. W8 StartMenu is no longer part of W8 Sidebar because:
- W8 Sidebar require elevated rights
- W8 StartMenu must run without elevated rights
Its last version is available on the W8 Sidebar homepage.
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v.7.0 - March,7,2015
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Added features:
1. System Information panel.
It will display all the information about your system (hardware & software).
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v.6.0 - February,19,2015
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Added features:
1. It will notify you when windows updates are available (and their number).
2. Task scheduler improvements:
- the task can be triggered multiple times per day ;
- the task settings can be edited directly from "Reminder" (at its occurrence).
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v.5.5 - January,10,2015
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Added features:
1. W8 Start Menu (Start it from "Settings" module, then check Start Menu Settings)
W8 Start Menu is not the classic Windows Start Menu, it is a standalone application.
No Registry Settings were modified.
You can pin programs from "All Programs" tab to Start Menu by mouse right-click or, if you want to pin something that is not in "All Programs" tab, there is
a search button.
Right-click a Start Menu program to unpin it.
The programs order in Start Menu can be changed by dragging.
A mini explorer will open at mouse over "My Documents", "Downloads"...
"Start Windows to Desktop" feature available (Windows8 only, not 8.1).
2. Resource consumption (CPU and RAM) was considerably reduced.
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v.5.0.0 - October,30,2014
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Added features:
1. Clear all Windows Events (in "Computer Performance" module - "Tricks")
2. It supports dual monitor (extended display mode, max. 2 displays)
- it can be moved from one monitor to another.
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v.4.5.1 - September,29,2014
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A reported bug in startup - Fixed.
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v.4.5 - September,29,2014
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Major changes:
1. Junk file search procedure has changed ("W8 Cleaner"), now it is very fast.
Added features:
1. The main interface will alert you if there are too many junk files or more than 200 items in the Recycle Bin.
2. A progress bar and a counter in "W8 Cleaner".
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v.4.0 - August,28,2014
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Added features:
1. Autocomplete feature is now available in "W8 Searcher"
2. Double-Click on CPU percentage usage to display with two decimal places.
Several other changes and improvements, mostly related to operating speed.
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v.3.5 - August,3,2014
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A bug that caused high CPU consumption in v.3.0.1 - fixed
Added features:
1. W8 Sidebar (main module) will remember its last position on the desktop.
Depending on the position of the main module (even during its movement), the "Settings" module will be displayed to the left or right.
2. A marked area (in the lower right corner) where it can be dragged to the desktop.
3. Automatic W8 Sidebar update (internet connection required).
4. "Minimize to tray" command (just below the close button).
5. "Hibernate on/off" command (in "Computer Performance" module - "Tricks").
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v.3.0.1- July,22,2014
A bug found (at the launch of "Computer Performance" module) - fixed
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v.3.0.0- July,14,2014
Added features:
1. Network Connection Status module (under "Net Speed")
2. Few useful tricks (in "Computer Performance")
Major changes:
1. Reminder with an unlimited number of tasks (along with a task-searcher, useful if you have many tasks)
2. Cleaner (both modules, files and registry) - much improved speed and accuracy
Several other changes and improvements, mostly related to operating speed
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v.2.5.1- June,22,2014
A small bug in "Restore" - fixed
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v.2.5 - June,20,2014
Added features:
1. Registry cleaner* - fast and safe
2. Registry searcher
3. Wake Up timer (when you click the "Sleep" button, you will get an option to set a "Wake Up Timer" along with a job scheduled to be executed on
awakening.)
4. List of running processes (with a right click option "Kill Process")
5. List of services (with a right click option "Run/Stop Service")
6. Prepare USB for removal** (an option to the right click mouse, if drive type is "Removable" , with which you can stop monitoring that drive, for 10 sec,
to allow properly use of Windows "Safely Remove Hardware")
7. CD tray open (an option to the right click mouse,if drive type is "CD" , with which you can open the CD Tray)
8. Prevent Sleep (As long as the function is active, will not allow the computer and the monitor to go into "Sleep Mode")
9. Start with windows - with "User Rights" or "Elevated Rights" ***
10.Desktop refresh timer (if checked, desktop will be refreshed every(...)minutes)
11.Autoshutdown in (...) time
12.System Tray Icon (with right click context menu)
Improvements:
1. Files database composition much faster (for "W8 Searcher")
2. Improved main interface
3. Bug found in "Disable Start Up Item" - fixed
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* -if you use the right click option "Run W8 Registry Cleaner" from the main W8 Sidebar, a registry backup will be done automatically
-any registry backup older than 3 days will be automatically deleted
** Not necessary under Windows 7
*** -if you choose "User Rights"(not recommended), you do not have appropriate access to the registry and files
-if you choose "Elevated Rights"(highly recommended) and you work with network drives, due to security features of Windows, those drives will not be shown in W8 Sidebar
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v.2.0 - May,11,2014
- "W8 Computer Performance" section added (offers information about your system boot time, restart time, start up programs and all installed software). Right-clicking the mouse you can add or remove start up entries, or uninstall an installed program (see screenshot).
Note : To get the restart time, you will need to restart your system with the "Restart" button from W8 Sidebar.
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v.1.5 - April,10,2014
- Faster launch
- "Always On Top" function added. Click "Top" button on upper right corner to keep W8 Sidebar on top of other open windows. Click again ("Back") to send it back to desktop level.
- "Cancel/Run" button in "Autoshutdown" section will become inactive 30 seconds before deadline (in this way it may not be the clicked by mistake).