SideBar for Windows desktop is a free software tool for maximizing productivity allowing you to easily create, group, and save all your favorite programs, shortcuts, network paths, and urls for quick access.
This is the #1 free software tool to help you organize anything that is important to you!
How it works
SideBar works by letting you decide what you want access to.
You create groups and then within those groups you create items that link to your favorite programs, documents, URL’s, folders, pictures, video, or anything else you could think of!
- Have you ever had a common group of programs that you use?
- Would you like a way to organize them together without creating a bunch of folders or shortcuts on your desktop?
- What about wanting to group a folder, shortcut, program, URL to a website, and a network path all together in one place?
The groups feature in SideBar let you make these things happen easily.
SideBar, running on your Windows desktop, is non-intrusive because it stays hidden on the side of the screen.
It only shows when you put your mouse all the way over to the edge of the screen.
Once you have finished choosing what you want to do in Sidebar and remove your mouse from its borders SideBar goes back to hidden mode and stays out of your way.
Features
Integrated calendar
Capable of integrating with Google and Microsoft live calendars.
View and schedule your events without having to open another program.
SideBar also keeps track and notifies you of your event reminders.
Import Bookmarks
SideBar can import your bookmarks for easy use without needing a browser open to see them. The following browsers bookmark imports are supported:
- Google Chrome
- Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
Customization
Powerful customization allows you to style SideBar's appearance and behavior the way you want.
Market Data
SideBar gives you the capability to stay up to date on energy and stock market data.
Screenshots
SideBar
Docked right side of screen and open
Moving from right side to left
SideBar Closed
SideBar Open
Group Expanded
Calendar linked to Google
Settings
TaskBar Icon
Read First - Prerequisite
In order to run SideBar you must have Microsoft .Net 4.5 Framework installed.
This can be downloaded here.
Program
SideBar comes packaged as an executable.
To install simply click the link below and run the downloaded executable.
Direct: SideBar version 2.0.7.4
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Download.com: 
Documents and Information
The help and user guide gives you a detailed walkthrough of how to use SideBar and how to take advantage of all its features. The guide is in pdf format, if you need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be found here.
Help and user guideRelease Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the requirements to run SideBar?
Any Windows based PC running Microsoft .NET 4.5 Framework (or greater). Windows 8 PC's will only run SideBar in desktop mode.
If you need to install Microsoft .NET 4.5 Framework it can be found here. - Does SideBar cost anything?
No, SideBar is completely free!!! Of course you can always support SideBar by paying a small fee of your choice.
Helping support SideBar with a monetary contribution helps the develper fund new features and bug fixes.
If you would like to help support SideBar click here. - What can I create a link/shortcut to in SideBar?
Just about anything!
You can link executables, files, pictures, shortcuts, network paths, urls, etc...
Plus if you find something you can't link just let us know, we will make it work!!! - Can I import my bookmarks and favorites?
Yes, SideBar will let you import your bookmarks and favorites from the following list of browsers!
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
- SideBar does not appear when I put my mouse in the edge of the screen.
This could be happening for several reasons. Go through each step below and after each step see if SideBar appears when mouse at edge of the screen.
- Verify SideBar is running. If SideBar is running there will be a TaskBar icon you can click on. If SideBar is not running start it.
- Check both sides of screen. SideBar could be docked on a different side of the screen than where your mouse is located.
- SideBar is not set to "Always on top" and other programs are running. Go to SideBar's TaskBar icon and right click. If "Always on top" is not checked, check it.
- You set SideBar to 0% opacity and now it is invisible. Go to SideBar's TaskBar icon and right click. Click "Set Opacity" and slide the slider to a value above 0% (no less than 10% is recommended).
- The calendar only shows the day of week and current date.
The calendar has been collapsed and is in compact mode. Put your mouse cursor anywhere over the day of week and date then left click. This will tell the calendar to expand to full mode.
- The calendar is not showing any events.
Your calendar has not been linked to a service. Open the SideBar settings and select "Link to Google" or "Link to Microsoft Live".
Make sure you allow SideBar access to read your calendar when asked to authenticate, otherwise events will not appear. - Why do I see groups named 'Stocks' and/or 'Energy Prices'?
These can be turned on/off in SideBar settings. If you do not wish to see these simply uncheck the checkbox in the settings screen.
- I dont like the order of my Groups in SideBar, how can I change this?
This can be changed in the SideBar settings.
In the "Group Order" box simply left click (hold down) and drag the group you want to move and drop it where you would like the group to be placed.
SideBar will immediately reorder your groups.