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Archive for March 24th, 2011

The file extension GADGET is used for small applications which run on the Windows Vista sidebar. These applications store many web-based files in ZIP archive format. They may also have CSS, HTML or JS files in addition to the other web files utilized for smaller programs like news feeds, system utilities, small games and search tools among other programs. Some other types include sideshow gadgets and web gadgets. They may be placed on different web pages and the sideshow gadgets run on digital picture frames, cell phones and other similar devices. These gadgets can be downloaded from Windows Live Gallery for free. As GADGET files are stored in a ZIP format, you may rename the files as ZIP ones, so that they can be opened using any decompression utility which is compatible with it.

The file extension MAILHOST is used to denote one setting file for the Microsoft MSN Explorer net software. These files store preferences which allow the user to easily send and receive emails via the MSN account. This extension appears on a single file called “MSN#.mailhost”. Here # denotes the MSN version. For sending and receiving emails your computer has to be connected to a mail server. This server stores the info about your account and saves email messages. It directs messages to and from your account to the correct receivers. It is not possible for your computer to connect to MSN mail servers without MAILHOST files. MSN will display error message if one MAILHOST file gets corrupted or deleted.

There is a basic difference between the two file types. The GADGET file is for gadgets on Windows Vista sidebar while the MAILHOST type is for a setting file used by MSN Explorer for storing preferences.