| PAGENAME | |
| Logo Size: | 50px |
| Logo Caption: | Rainmeter icon |
| Screenshot Size: | 250px |
| Latest Release Version: | 4.5.18 |
| Latest Release Date: | [1] |
| Programming Language: | C++ and C# used for plugins |
| Operating System: | Windows 7 SP1 and later[2] |
| Platform: | IA-32 and x64 |
| Language Count: | 32 |
| License: | GNU GPL v2 |
Rainmeter is a free and open-source desktop customization utility for Windows released under the GNU GPL v2 license. It allows users to create and display user-generated customizable desktop widgets or applets called "skins" that display information.[3] [4] Ready to use collections of skins can be downloaded and installed in packages known as "suites".[5]
Common functionalities of Rainmeter skins include desktop clocks, RSS readers, system monitors, weather widgets, application launchers and audio players.[6] [7]
The Rainmeter project was originally founded by Kimmo 'Rainy' Pekkola, the developer of Rainlendar, in 2001.[8] The project is primarily written in C++, while plugins can be written in either C++ or C#.[9]
Rainmeter skins are written in Rainmeter code using a text editor and stored as INI configuration files.[10] System resource values and other information such as weather or time are stored through "measure" values within a skin, which can then be shown through different kinds of customizable visual elements called "meters".
CNET, in a 4 out of 5 star rating, praised the software's flexibility, wide variety of themes and "enthusiastic community", while noting the program "isn't as intuitive as it could be."[11] Softpedia also gave the software a 4 out of 5 star rating, citing its comprehensive tutorials and low system resource usage, while criticizing its lack of cross-platform support.[12]