Doc, I posted about  using sidebar gadets on Win 8 in this post back in September: https://forums.wincustomize.com/430781/page/1/#3270143

I've been using this in my Win 8 install with no problems whatsoever. http://8gadgetpack.bplaced.net/

It uses any of the old gadgets and comes with some rather nice new ones as well. It is as yet untried on 8.1 as I am waiting for the release , the preview to me is a total waste of time.

Edit: In fact, I have been using software from this developer since Win 7 release to get the actual sidebar back. It also added window previews to the sidebar.

This is about 8.1, though, Wiz. Actually, I did it with you in mind because I remembered how upset you were about the Yahoo gadget thing...

I haven't used Yahoo Widgets since late 2008 so I think you have those mistaken for my opinion of MS saying that the Windows sidebar gadgets were a "security risk" and had to go. What a load of crap! I suppose those tens of thousands of so-called Modern Apps are 100% safe.

OK, according to the site http://8gadgetpack.bplaced.net/, it isn't compatible with the 8.1 PREVIEW yet.

Tech tip: If a preview breaks your software, don't blame all the vendors of said software and demand a fix. Perhaps it is the preview that needs to go instead. If anything needs fixing, it should be done after the release, not before or during a "trial" that isn't even a beta test.

Just my .02 cents.

Gadgets and the sidebar was just about the very first thing I deactivated since my first Vista ( ) POS.

Looks to me like you're talking about 8gadgetpack, while I'm talking about PainteR's new installer for "Desktop gadgets and sidebar for Windows 8.1". 

This may or may not be ok with 8.1's warranty agreements.

Me either, but some folks do use them so...I report for them.

Both will give you sidebar gadget runtimes. 8gadgetpack will no doubt get updated to work on 8.1 when released.

Pardon me, but since when does Microsoft get to decide what applications we can run on OUR PCs?

That's ludicrous!  Doc, I assume you're joking? 

BTW, I have never heard ot this Winaero site, nor do I think much of a site that places "suckerbuttons" all over it to mislead people into downloading other software, especially toolbars.

Is there an echo in here?

I think folks are confused. I REPORT things. I don't create policy for MS. If there's a chance there might be a problem (which I read in the links) I mention it.

I'm not on W8/8.1. I report things which might be of interest to people here. It's a volunteer thing.

Ok, so the comment about voiding MS warranty is a report of something someone else said? Or your words?

That is the part of your report that is ludicrous.

So, can you please provide more info on Windows 8.1's "warranty" agreement? Especially where it says that they want control over what apps we install?  You have a link?

I thought it was your words. Forgive me if you didn't make yourself clear.

I think it's called a EULA, btw.

Is it so unusual for two people to agree on a thread?  No echo, just coincidence. 

Since I don't have 8/8.1 I don't have a EULA. If the installer alters system files, it might void that. Hence the warning which I quoted. If you think that's ludicrous, that's your problem.

Apart from that this is from the quoted link.

Please don't strain the fabric of the space-time continuum with claims of coincidence. 

http://winaero.com/blog/desktop-gadgets-and-sidebar-for-windows-8-1/