(1) A generic term for an auxiliary window on screen that is displayed alongside the main window.
(2) The left or right side of Windows 8 screen that holds an app.
(3) A Windows Vista desktop panel that holds mini applications (gadgets) such as a calendar, calculator, stock ticker and Vonage phone dialer. It is the Windows counterpart to the Dashboard in the Mac. In Windows 7, the Sidebar was eliminated and gadgets can be placed anywhere on the desktop. See
Windows Vista and
gadget.
(4) A feature in the Firefox Web browser that displays history, bookmarks or any bookmarked page in a scrolling window. IE has similar capabilities in its Favorites Center, but does not refer to the window as a sidebar.
(5) A Windows 3.1 shell that replaced Program and File Manager and streamlined the desktop. Originally developed by Mike McCue of Paper Software, it was later acquired by Quarterdeck.