Rice2k Rainmeter Control Bar

v6.1.0Latest GitHub Release

.rmskinRainmeter Skin Installer package

MITModify and share with credit

Public safeExample IP and Wi-Fi values only

Download Skin

Use the packaged release for the easiest install. The source files stay available for review and customization.

Recommended download

Rice2kRainmeterControlBar-v6.1.rmskin

Double-click the package to open Rainmeter Skin Installer, then click Install.

Download Skin Latest release GitHub repo

One-click Install

Rainmeter supports .rmskin packages through the built-in Rainmeter Skin Installer.

1

Install Rainmeter

Download Rainmeter from rainmeter.net.

2

Download the skin

Use the Download Skin button to get the versioned .rmskin file.

3

Open installer

Double-click the .rmskin file and Rainmeter Skin Installer should open.

4

Install and load

Click Install, refresh Rainmeter if needed, then load Rice2kControlBar.ini.

Manual install is also possible: copy code/Rice2kControlBar.ini and code/@Resources into %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rainmeter\Skins\Rice2kControlBar.

What Is Rainmeter?

Rainmeter is a free, open-source desktop customization tool for Windows. It displays customizable widgets called skins.

Official download

Download Rainmeter from the official site: rainmeter.net.

Skin packages

Rainmeter .rmskin packages open with the built-in Skin Installer for a simpler install flow.

This project

This skin combines Rainmeter measures, visual meters, and local PowerShell helper scripts.

Requirements

The skin targets modern Windows systems and uses local helper scripts for a few desktop actions.

Requirement	Recommended	Why it matters
Windows	Windows 10 or 11	Modern settings links, PowerShell, network profile commands, and desktop shortcuts.
Rainmeter	4.5 or newer	Skin Installer support and current Rainmeter behavior.
PowerShell	Windows PowerShell 5.1 or newer	Wi-Fi, IP, copy IP, RAM cleanup, and resize helper scripts.
Chrome	Optional	Only needed if you want the Chrome button to open Google Chrome.

Features Table

Each control has a specific job and a place to customize it.

Button or control	What it does	Where to customize
`CHECK SYS`	Shows CPU, RAM, disk, and critical status text.	Threshold variables in the INI.
`IP`	Shows local IPv4 address and copies it on click.	`GetIp.ps1` and `CopyIp.ps1`.
`Wi-Fi`	Shows the connected profile and opens Wi-Fi settings.	`GetWifi.ps1`.
`FREE RAM`	Runs a working-set trim and reports the result.	`FreeRam.ps1`.
`CHATGPT`, `DRIVE`	Opens web links.	URL variables in `Rice2kControlBar.ini`.
`CHROME`	Opens Google Chrome.	`ChromePath`.
`DOWNLOADS`	Opens Downloads.	`DownloadsPath`.
`GRAAL`	Opens the Graal Archive folder.	`GraalArchivePath`.
`TASK`	Opens Task Manager.	Windows command.
`MOVE`, `PIN`	Switches between repositioning and locked use.	Rainmeter draggable setting.
`-`, `100`, `+`	Scale down, reset, and scale up.	`SetScale.ps1`, `MinScale`, `MaxScale`.
Corner handles	Helper-driven resize behavior.	`ResizeFromCorner.ps1`.
`SNIP`, `DISPLAY`, `SOUND`	Opens Windows tools and settings.	Windows commands.
Power buttons	Lock, Sleep, Sign Out, Restart, and Power actions.	Windows commands with confirmations where needed.

Screenshots

Public screenshots use sanitized example network, IP, username, and computer values.

Full Rice2k Control Bar final layout. — Final bar layout with status, shortcuts, resize controls, and system cards.

Before and after comparison for the Rainmeter bar. — Before and after comparison.

Left side of the bar showing IP address. — IP display and status area.

Short Demo

The demo highlights the bar, resize controls, and the FREE RAM action.

Theme Gallery

Color previews for the bar. Change theme colors by editing the variables in the INI.

Default Cyber Blue theme preview. — Default Cyber Blue

Green Terminal theme preview. — Green Terminal

Amber Workbench theme preview. — Amber Workbench

Customization Guide

Edit the [Variables] section near the top of code/Rice2kControlBar.ini, save, then refresh Rainmeter.

Change	Edit this value	Example
Username	`UserName`	`UserName=YourName`
Computer name	`ComputerName`	`ComputerName=YOUR-PC`
Chrome path	`ChromePath`	`C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe`
Downloads folder	`DownloadsPath`	`%USERPROFILE%\Downloads`
Graal folder	`GraalArchivePath`	`%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Graal Archive`
Links	Web URL variables	Change the URL after `=`.
Colors	`Accent`, `Green`, `Amber`, `Red`, `Panel`, `Border`	Use comma-separated RGBA values.
Size	`Scale`, `MinScale`, `MaxScale`	`Scale=0.98`.

Troubleshooting

Quick fixes for the issues most likely to show up after installing or customizing the skin.

Issue	What to check
Wi-Fi name is not showing	Refresh the skin, confirm Windows has a connected network profile, then test `GetWifi.ps1` in PowerShell.
Buttons are not opening	Fix the path variables. A missing folder or app path can make a click appear slow or inactive.
Downloads or Graal takes a minute	Confirm the folder exists locally. Missing folders, disconnected drives, and network paths can delay Explorer.
Resize does not work like a normal window	Rainmeter has no true native window-border resizing. Use `PIN`, `- / 100 / +`, and the helper handles.
PowerShell scripts are blocked	Unblock the downloaded files or use a trusted install folder. Windows can mark downloaded scripts as blocked.

Security And Privacy

The public repository uses example values so real desktop details are not exposed.

Example public values include 192.168.1.25, Example Wi-Fi, YourName, and YOUR-PC. The helper scripts read local Windows information for display or shortcuts. They do not upload telemetry or send network information to a server.

Known Limitations

A few behaviors come from how Rainmeter skins work.

No native border resize

Rainmeter skins do not resize like normal app windows. This skin uses helper controls instead.

Script trust

Windows may block scripts downloaded from the internet until the files are unblocked.

Local paths

Chrome, Downloads, and Graal buttons need valid paths on the user's PC.

FAQ

Beginner answers for installing, editing, and sharing the skin.

What is Rainmeter?

Rainmeter is a free, open-source Windows desktop customization tool for widgets called skins.

Do I need coding experience?

No for installing and basic path edits. Advanced layout changes require editing the Rainmeter INI.

Can I change colors?

Yes. Edit the color variables in code/Rice2kControlBar.ini and refresh the skin.

Why does resize act differently from a normal window?

Rainmeter skins do not have normal app-window borders. Use the provided scale controls and helper handles.

Can I share a modified version?

Yes. The project uses the MIT License. Keep credits and avoid publishing private values.

Releases And Changelog

Versioned downloads live on GitHub Releases. The changelog tracks what changed in each public version.

v6.1.0

Packaged .rmskin, one-click install docs, download button, demo GIF, before/after screenshot, gallery, troubleshooting, requirements, FAQ, license, and contributing docs.

v6.0.0

Initial public improved control bar with system stats, Wi-Fi/IP helpers, FREE RAM, shortcuts, resize controls, screenshots, and GitHub Pages.

Open releases Read changelog View roadmap

Contributing

Bug reports, feature requests, screenshots, and focused improvements are welcome.

Report bugs

Open an issue with your Windows version, Rainmeter version, screenshot, and what button or meter failed.

Request features

Describe the workflow you want to improve and which button, path, or status area it affects.

Submit changes

Run tools/check.ps1, include screenshots for visual changes, and keep public examples sanitized.

Rainmeter Documentation

Official Rainmeter links for installing, packaging, and understanding skins.

Rainmeter download
Official Rainmeter website and Windows download.

Open

Installing Rainmeter
Official installation notes for Rainmeter itself.

Open

Installing skins
How .rmskin packages are installed and loaded.

Open

Distributing skins
Official notes for packaging Rainmeter skins.

Open

Anatomy of a skin
Explains measures as inputs and meters as visual outputs.

Open

Rainmeter Code Files

The package uses the folder layout Rainmeter expects inside the skin directory.

code/Rice2kControlBar.ini
Main Rainmeter skin.

Open

code/@Resources/Scripts/GetWifi.ps1
Reads the connected Wi-Fi profile.

Open

code/@Resources/Scripts/GetIp.ps1
Finds the current local IPv4 address.

Open

code/@Resources/Scripts/CopyIp.ps1
Copies the current IP address to the clipboard.

Open

code/@Resources/Scripts/FreeRam.ps1
Runs the RAM cleanup helper.

Open

code/@Resources/Scripts/ResizeFromCorner.ps1
Supports corner resize behavior.

Open

code/@Resources/Scripts/SetScale.ps1
Handles the scale buttons.

Open

Source Preview

On GitHub Pages, this viewer loads the source files directly from the repository.

Source

Checks

These are the verification points included with the project.

OK

PowerShell helper scripts parse cleanly.

OK

Packaged .rmskin and release notes are present.

OK

Wi-Fi, IP, copy IP, Free RAM, and resize helpers are included.

OK

Demo GIF, before/after screenshot, and theme gallery are included.

OK

README includes badges, requirements, customization, troubleshooting, FAQ, credits, changelog, roadmap, and contributing links.

OK

Public repository defaults are sanitized with example IP, Wi-Fi, and computer values.

OK

Official Rainmeter download and documentation links are included.

OK

Run tools/check.ps1 to re-check required files and source markers.

Credits

Built around Rainmeter, local Windows helper scripts, and the original Rice2k desktop bar idea.

Rainmeter

Desktop skin engine, Skin Installer, and public documentation.

Rice2k

Original desktop bar concept, path requirements, and testing feedback.

Helper tools

PowerShell scripts for Wi-Fi, IP, copy IP, RAM cleanup, and scaling behavior.