Microsoft advises to disable gadgets in Windows Vista & Seven

GOOD RIDDANCE!

Microsoft has provided a way to cripple all gadgets and disable the "sidebar" engine that runs them. This affects Vista and Seven. Because installing some 3rd party gadgets can, open your system to  malware, even when they are not running. At Microsoft's site you can find more info and a easy fix to disable these services, which is called "Microsoft Fix it 50906".