How to Disable the Windows Sidebar
If you find the Windows Sidebar annoying or otherwise useless, you can simply disable it from Startup by following the instructions below.
- Right-click on an empty space on the “Windows Sidebar”
- Click on “Properties”
- Uncheck “Start Sidebar when Windows starts”
- Click "Apply" (bottom right)
- Click "OK"
- When the dialogue box disappears, right-click on an empty space on the sidebar again
- Click "Close Sidebar" and you're done.
If you wish to get it back, because you find you simply can’t live without it:
- Navigate to the “Start” button
- Type “sidebar” in the “Start Search” area
- Click on “Windows Sidebar” (above)
- When it pops up, just right-click on an empty space on it and click "Properties"
- Make sure "Start Sidebar when Windows starts" is checked.
- Click "Apply"
- Click "OK"
You now have it back!