8GadgetPack is a free application which enables users to run some original desktop gadgets in Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
A simple browser displays 50+ gadgets, with thumbnails and basic descriptions. Scan the list and you'll find CPU, drive and network meters, process monitors, calendar and reminder apps, email checkers, clocks, puzzles, unit and currency converters, an internet radio tool, assorted weather checkers and more.
Double-clicking anything that looks interesting will add it to your desktop, and you can drag it around, work with the gadget, set opacity, tweak its options as required.
A "Tools" dialog provides options to manage everything you install. There are buttons to make gadgets larger or smaller, run them at Windows startup (or not), organise them in a sidebar, add a new gadget, reset your gadgets to their default settings (handy for troubleshooting), or uninstall the package to get rid of everything.
What's new in 30.0 (see version history for more)?
- Updated all outdated gadgets. My Weather should work again. Changed Clipboarder so copied text always creates a new element, even if it is the same as the current one. Fixed installer errormessage bug. Fixed transparency bug in 7 Sidebar.
Verdict:
Some of these gadgets are very basic, and a few didn't work at all, but 8GadgetPack still delivers some useful desktop tools in a straightforward, adware-free package.
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