Running Flash-dependent gadgets on 64-bit Windows

These instructions are for Windows 7. Show Windows Vista instructions

Because Adobe does not provide a 64-bit plugin for their Flash player, gadgets that require Flash (such as Pandora) will not operate on 64-bit Windows. To get around this problem, you can run the 32-bit version of the program that manages the gadgets. Here's how:

Method 1: Install the Beta 64-bit Flash Player

This is the easiest way, and the one I recommend. Adobe has recently begun offering a beta Flash player for 64-bit browsers. To get it, visit its download page and download the "active-x plugin for 64-bit Windows — for Internet Explorer only". After installing it, right click the Desktop, go to view, and uncheck "Show desktop gadgets". Then, do it again to restart them.

Method 2: Use the 32-bit gadget manager

64-bit Windows comes with a 32-bit version of sidebar.exe, the program that manages the gadgets. You can set this one to run on startup instead of the default 64-bit one.

• Right click on the Desktop, go to View, and uncheck "Show desktop gadgets".
• In Windows Explorer, go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Sidebar and open sidebar.exe.
• I believe that Windows will then continue to run the 32-bit version automatically even after you log off and log back on.
• If you subsequently hide the desktop gadgets again, you'll have to manually re-launch the 32-bit version.

The only problem I've noticed with this so far is that Windows 7's weather gadget won't run in 32-bit mode for some reason.

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