When the Windows modification called Vista came out, many users noticed a lot of innovations regarding the system interface. In addition, when the "Task Manager" was opened, a lot of new processes appeared in it that were not in the XP version. One of these was the Sidebar.exe process. What is it then nobody really imagined. Meanwhile, the essence of understanding this process, as it turned out, lies on the surface. We’ll talk about this.
Sidebar.exe: what is it?
In order to understand the essence of this process, you just need to translate the name you are looking for. We get what? "Sidebar", for the operation of which the eponymous Sidebar.exe process is responsible. What is this in terms of user interface?
What is the panel itself? This is a vertical bar, by default, located on the screen to the right, on which widget (gadget) icons are displayed for quick access to some standard functions and applications (weather, news, clocks, calendar, etc.). Almost the same as on mobile phones or tablets. At least, it feels like the idea was borrowed from mobile OS.
How does the sidebar work?
If in “Vista” the panel was activated by default, then the similar Sidebar.exe process in Windows 7 had to be started manually.
It was very convenient, as many users began to complain that the panel reduces the working space of the screen.
Despite such unflattering reviews, the panel underwent quite serious changes, but not in terms of graphics, but in terms of settings. Among the whole set there were options for its arbitrary placement on the screen, hiding in an inactive mode, adding additional effects and widgets. By the way, the initially available applications for which it was possible to install the corresponding widget on the panel were exactly so many that they could be counted on the fingers.
Later this list has expanded significantly and replenished with very original additions. For many of them, enthusiastic developers who were registered in the Microsoft community had a hand in it.
Unfortunately (or to the delight) of many users, in modifications of the Windows operating systems of the next releases (eighth and tenth), the developers decided to abandon the use of this element, considering it either unnecessary, or causing malfunctions or giving an unreasonably high load on system resources. In general, there is no objective information on this subject.
Panel malfunctions
But back to the Sidebar.exe process. What kind of service, a little understood. Now consider some of the negative aspects. It is often necessary to state the fact that this process quite often causes software failures. Sidebar.exe error (most often an increased load on the processor and RAM) has a very serious effect on the performance of the entire system. Here, no virtual memory can save.
As a rule, most specialists recommend using specialized optimizer programs or highly targeted applications to clean the registry for troubleshooting. Optimizers can unload unused applications from memory, and registry cleaners fix invalid keys or delete obsolete and empty entries. This applies only to those cases when the user needs a panel.
In addition, errors can be caused by the lack of an update to the Flash Player, which is responsible for the panel.
How to install the panel for Windows eighth and tenth versions?
In the eighth and tenth modifications there is no such tool. However, if someone really needs it, there will be no problems.
Installation distributions can be downloaded free of charge even from the official Microsoft website, and then install the program yourself.
How to remove Sidebar.exe and can it be done?
Now about one more burning issue. Let's take another look at the Sidebar.exe process. What kind of service it is, clear. But many would like to get rid of it. How to do it?
We will make a reservation right away: in the usual sense, it is impossible to remove this software component, unless it is installed as a separate program. But disabling its use is easy. If you try to complete the process of the same name in the "Task Manager", this will only lead to a one-time shutdown of the panel, and when it reboots, it is activated again.
In such a situation, the only right decision would be to disable the Windows widget platform in the list of system components (the program and component section is in the standard "Control Panel"). After turning off the panel, you must reboot.
Note: in some situations, you will first need to enter the startup section and exclude the applet from the list of programs starting with the system. The section itself is located in the system configuration, access to which can be obtained by entering the msconfig command in the "Run" menu.
Instead of a total
Here is a brief summary of everything regarding the Sidebar.exe process. What kind of service, I think, is understood by all without exception. Well, the question of how appropriate is the use of such a panel remains with the user (although if you look at the start menus of the eighth and tenth versions of the system, it is not needed there at all).