Rainmeter: Windows 10’s simplest, most elegant desktop enhancement tool
Microsoft has put some amazing effort into making Windows 10 a much better operating system than any previous version. As a result of an operating system that allows for a neater organization of files, folders and application shortcuts, is a desktop wallpaper seemingly as bare as a lock screen, especially as shortcuts to programs are now neatly organized in an alphabetically ordered tile menu.
This has left some creative users wonder what to fill that big empty space with, aside from high-resolution wallpaper images. One third-party software developer has come up with “Rainmeter”, a desktop enhancing utility designed to add useful functionality to an otherwise empty Windows 10 wallpaper.
Rainmeter is one of those third party tools that are an absolute must-have for Windows 10 power users. Best of all, it’s provided free of charge under the GNU Public License, which allows anyone to contribute to the project and improve its functionality.
Out of the box, Rainmeter offers the ability to arrange a number of draggable, and snappable boxes, across the desktop, featuring different information and functionality including:
- Google search box, which opens search results on the default browser
- Time and date
- Recycle bin with item count and size on disk, and direct link to opening the system’s recycle bin
- Discs, with storage size and available space stats for up to two disks, and direct link to each storage drive
- Network stats and IP address
- System info, including CPU, RAM and SWAP usage, with direct link to the Task Manager
Rainmeter’s default theme matches Windows 10’s UI rather well, with a dark, translucent look that can be set to overlay application windows, or hide behind them.
Those who make extensive use of Windows 10’s virtual desktops feature will also appreciate how Rainmeter propagates across all desktops.
The strength of Rainmeter is in the freedom to customize its visual components, and a growing community of users have put considerable effort and creativity into some very sleek and elegant themes, available at several locations, including DeviantArt, spanning across the basic minimalist, to more creative and sophisticated dashboards, packed with a wealth of functionalities to enhance Windows 10’s desktop.
Rainmeter is rather lightweight and easy on resources, depending on the size of the graphical assets used by certain themes. As a result, this plugin has a very low impact on the battery life of Windows 10 laptops and tablets. Those looking to spruce up their Windows 10 laptops, tablets and desktop displays with this excellent and free plugin can check it out at rainmeter.net.