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Keep track of how your computer is performing based on various system metrics

Keep track of how your computer is performing based on various system metrics

Vote: (250 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Rainmeter

Version: 4.5.17

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(250 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Rainmeter

4.5.17

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Attractive and informative interface
  • Fully customizable
  • Many new skins available

Cons

  • Not everyone needs this type of functionality
  • Some skins seem redundant
  • Default transparent skin looks confusing on crowded desktops

Rainmeter is a customizable tool that can be used to measure system performance or to perform different tasks on the desktop. Rainmeter is hard to understand at first because it is fully customizable. It also has a large community of followers who create new customizations on a regular basis. The most basic function of Rainmeter is to report on things like disk usage, processor usage and memory usage. It can display a clock and some other data as soon as it is installed. The functionality of Rainmeter can be expanded by adding new skins to the program.

One of the confusing aspects of Rainmeter is that the program uses the word skins to means a variety of different things. A skin sometimes means what most people expect and describes the appearance of the application. At various points, however, skin is used to mean a desktop app or a widget. Skins within Rainmeter are basically all the user interface components collectively including the aesthetic aspects of each. Users are free to make new skins that perform new functions not originally included in the application. Downloading and installing skins is usually as easy as clicking on the file.

The basic skins included with Rainmeter allow a person to watch disk, network, memory and processor usage. There is a clock as well. An interactive skin is available that puts up a search box for Google. Using this box opens up the default browser and performs the search. The types of skins that are available for download from the user community do additional things like monitoring the processor temperature, automatically starting apps or providing shortcuts to do things like move through song tracks in a media player. Some skins seem useful while others just make Rainmeter more attractive to look at.

The main interface for Rainmeter is a collection of transparent windows that sit on the desktop. The appearance and transparency can be changed. The windows can be locked in place. They can be set to vanish if the mouse passes over them. The information in the windows is difficult to see when there are icons on the desktop underneath. Users simply click on windows to use them if they do something. The monitoring windows adjust and show changes automatically. Right clicking on any window brings up a menu that allows complete customization.

Rainmeter puts a small icon in the system tray while running. Right clicking on this icon brings up a menu containing all features for the program. Nearly anything can be changed or disabled in some way. Some of the menu options are redundant. It is important to note that Rainmeter does not add any functionality to the system. It can only read and interact with the applications already there. It cannot change the desktop appearance or act as a substitute for another program like a media player. Rainmeter is an interesting application for people who want a more informative desktop.

Pros

  • Attractive and informative interface
  • Fully customizable
  • Many new skins available

Cons

  • Not everyone needs this type of functionality
  • Some skins seem redundant
  • Default transparent skin looks confusing on crowded desktops