Extremely powerful and customizable, Rainmeter is a free desktop customization program that lets you completely transform the way your desktop looks like. It can be used to display a truckload of extra information (e.g. Clock, Network statistics, Processor usage, Email, RSS feeds) on the desktop, which itself can be tweaked in unimaginable ways, thanks to the countless skins available for the same. But finding the best skins can be pretty hard.
No worries, as we’re here to help you get started with that. So strap in, and check out 20 of the best Rainmeter skins that you can use to pimp up that ol’ desktop of yours!
Note: It goes without saying, in order to use these skins, you need to have Rainmeter installed on your Windows PC. It’s compatible with all Windows versions, from XP to Windows 10.
1. TECH-A
Futuristic yet minimal, TECH-A is both amazing and versatile. It can display a horde of information, such as per core CPU usage, RAM utilization, as well as Time & date. Apart from this, there are also shortcuts to system folders (e.g. My Documents) and Disk partitions, all arranged around an animated, revolving core.
2. IronMan-Jarvis
You don’t really have to be Tony Stark to get your own J.A.R.V.I.S powered computer, as the IronMan-Jarvis Rainmeter skin will work out just fine. It’s super customizable, having multiple modules that can be easily re-positioned. Some of the information displayed includes Clock/Date, Hard disk capacity and Temperature details, RSS feeds, and of course shortcuts to the system folders (e.g. My Documents), emerging from the arc reactor core.
3. Avengers SHIELD OS
Although gathering (and coordinating) your own team of superheroes in real-life can a be little tough, you can always play Nick Fury while sitting at your computer, thanks to Avengers SHIELD OS Rainmeter skin. It’s available in multiple resolutions, and includes handy shortcuts to frequently accessed applications like Browser and Media player. Other stuff includes Volume control, Media playback/control bar, RAM and CPU usage display, shutdown & restart buttons, and most importantly, the S.H.I.E.L.D Eagle tag.
4. Senja Suite
If you’re a fan of minimalism, you’re going to love Senja Suite. Lightweight and clean, it’s a Rainmeter skin that just takes care of the basics, but does them extremely well, without throwing too much stuff in your face. The information displayed includes Time, User profile button with an expandable bar for System folder shortcuts, Slideshow of favorite pictures, Media information with control buttons, and Shutdown/Restart/Log off buttons.
5. ALIENS
If there’s a skin that perfectly illustrates how much a background wallpaper is important to customization, it’s ALIENS. It’s a brilliantly designed Rainmeter skin that only makes sense when paired with the companion Aliens wallpaper that comes with it. The modules are configurable and include everything from Disk partition shortcuts and Power status, to Network upload/download speeds and System time and date.
6. Eker Lina
One of most beautifully designed Rainmeter skins out there, Eker Lina consists of numerous sub-modules that look like small widgets, with each having a consistent design. Due to this, the skin’s sub elements can be arranged as per requirements to create all sorts of great looking layouts. Eker Lina can display lots of data, such as System folder and drive shortcuts, Media controls, RSS feeds, Time & Date, and Current weather.
7. Win10 Widgets
If you’re not into flashy desktop customizations and want something modern, well, Win10 Widgets surely comes to the rescue by offering you a chance to place widgets across your homescreen. You can add widgets of various types to display the info about battery, CPU usage, date and time, Wi-Fi, and more.
There’s even a lock desktop button and volume sliders in the mix, with the skin working pretty well with all screen sizes, which is certainly a plus for Windows users.
8. Before Dawn
Probably the easiest to set up Rainmeter skin out there, Before Dawn requires zero tweaking. All you have to do is just run it and it appears as a stunning, information laced bar spanning the entire width of the desktop. Before Dawn presents information in a highly legible way, and the content it displays includes Time & Date, Shortcuts to frequently access programs and websites, Subscribed RSS feeds, and Current location temperature.
9. MNML UI
It’s not always essential for you to clutter your Windows 10 desktop with widgets. There’s the off-chance that you’re looking for a clean and tranquil skin with almost no distractions. Well, MNML UI offers you just that. It’s a collection of pleasant and modern clock and date widgets that could elevate your desktop experience in no time (pun intended!).
10. Razor
Full of translucency and frosted glass effects, Razor is a sight to behold. Again, this is one of those skins where the choice of desktop wallpaper can dramatically affect how good (or bad) the skin, and hence, the overall desktop looks, so make sure you choose a minimalistic wallpaper. Few of the information displaying sub-modules that it comes with include a combo Weather and Time & Date header, System libraries’ shortcuts, a Customizable dock, Power status, and Network strength.
11. T-R-A-N-S-F-O-R-M-E-X Mod
Are you ready to dial it back to the 2010s and catch a hint of this Rainmeter skin, which looks like JetAudio took over your entire Windows desktop? Dubbed as T-R-A-N-S-F-O-R-M-E-X, this skin is quite nostalgic and permits you to add everything from the CPU, RAM, SWAP, location and weather info on the desktop. You also get 3D icons for programs and power functions at the bottom, with a visualizer-like background.
12. Enigma
Probably one of the most (if not the most) downloaded Rainmeter skins of all time, you can spend hours at a stretch configuring Enigma. In fact, it’s so amazing that it was chosen as Rainmeter’s default skin in 2009. Enigma can show just about every piece of system (and other) information you can think of. All of its sub-modules are highly configurable, and can be individually re-arranged. Some of the stuff Enigma can show on the desktop includes World time and Weather, Media playback status/control, multiple RSS feeds, Picture slideshow, CPU and RAM usage, Quick notes, Real time active processes, and then some more.
13. Speed
Yet another skin with frosted glass and transparency effects, Speed looks great when matched with muted and minimal wallpapers. All of the skin’s sub-modules have a consistent look, and can be re-arranged to suit desktops of different resolutions. It can display system Time/Date, RSS feeds, Network status, Unread email count, CPU/RAM usage (via neat looking gauges), and of course, Temperature with three day forecast.
14. Wisp
What makes Wisp unique is the fact that its sub-elements don’t really have any “containing” boundaries, so they appear as they are written or drawn directly on the desktop background, rather than appearing as discrete widgets. This can make for some really amazing looking desktops, when Wisp is paired with the right wallpaper. The neat looking skin features modules for displaying information such as disk partitions’ space usage, Temperature, System date and time, CPU/RAM usage, and Network bandwidth consumption.
15. Simple Media
True to its name, Simple Media is one of the simpler looking and basic skins that you can find for Rainmeter. But despite being basic and having only the essential information displaying sub-modules, Simple Media looks pretty great, thanks to a great looking font and a design that works well on almost all kinds of desktops, regardless of resolution. The included modules can be used to display current Date and Time, Recycle Bin status, as well as the current Temperature, and there are multiple variants available for all three.
16. LIM!T
If you don’t really care for complicated looks, and prefer something that conveys more meaning via mere text, LIM!T is definitely a Rainmeter skin worth checking it. Composed almost entirely of big, clean fonts, it conveys lots of information by filling up the inside(s) of the textual content, based on what information that text is displaying (e.g. the minute numbers are filled up steadily, and increment after reaching full mark, every 60 seconds). The information displayed includes Date/Time, CPU and RAM usage, Current media playback status, and Weather statistics.
17. Neon Space
Once you get Neon Space up and running, you’re going to have a really hard time taking your eyes off it. It really is that damn good. Toting a plethora of configurable modules that all animate and glow in neon blue color, Neon Space completely transforms your desktop to resemble something like the HUD of a futuristic alien spaceship. The stuff that it can display includes Current weather with 3 day forecast, CPU and RAM usage, Calendar, Time and Date, and most importantly, a whole bunch of holographic goodness that doesn’t show any information, but is absolutely dope!
18. Circle Launcher
Microsoft gives you the option to add software icons to the taskbar or desktop but if you want to further customize the look of your desktop, then circle launcher can help. As the name suggests, it will enable you to add circle icons to launch programs or games on the desktop. The icons turn white when hovered, adding to the appeal of this Rainmeter skin, which currently has about 150 icons in its collection.
19. Elegance 2
Another skin purpose built for lovers of minimalism, Elegance 2, much like its name, conveys the essential system information in an elegant way. It’s extremely lightweight, and blends in amazingly with the original desktop background image. The information is presented using legibly designed fonts, and includes time & date, CPU & RAM usage stats, Media playback and control, along with details about Recycle Bin items.
20. Minimalist 2
Bored with the same old Windows desktop and want to upgrade to something minimal? If your answer is yes, then Minimalist 2 could be the perfect Rainmeter skin you have been looking for. It is true to its name and gives you the power to track multiple features such as battery percentage, storage, CPU and RAM usage on the left and shortcuts to software and folders on the right. You can also add weather, time and date widgets and change the wallpaper to adjust the vibe.
21. Rainmeter Hub
If you’re constantly on the hunt for fresh Rainmeter related content, Rainmeter Hub is definitely something worth checking out. It’s a curated source of constantly updated skins (both individual modules and complete skins), complete with screenshots and installation instructions, and of course, download links.
22. Rainmeter Thread On Reddit
Always one of the best source of information and resources on just about everything, Reddit is here for your desktop customization needs as well. Check out the Rainmeter thread on Reddit, your one stop shop for everything related to Rainmeter. The near daily updated thread includes newly uploaded skins, themes and other customization resources, and even tutorials to create your own Rainmeter skins!