How to quickly test Windows Gadgets?

Question

How should one quickly test a Windows Gadget during development? Creating the archive, installing it and adding it to the desktop every time is extremely tedious...

Answer 1

This application might speed up the process:

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/gadgets/GadgetPacker.aspx

Whilst developing a desktop gadget for Windows 7, it became apparent how much of a pain it was going through the build process. I decided it would be a lot easier to write a simple automation tool, to take care of the necessary steps. This would speed up the overall developing and testing phase.

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This article might also be helpfull

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-debug-a-windows-vista-sidebar-gadget-with-visual-studio/

Answer 2

After you've installed it once, you can actually manipulate the installed version's source code files directly. It should be installed at

C:\Users\ YourUserName \AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets\ GadgetName.gadget \

Then, each time you make changes to the source code found there you just need to add a new instance of the gadget to your desktop. I just keep the Gadget Gallery open and drag a new instance after I've saved a new change.