I don't like this app. It runs too slow and is nothing but eye candy. Surely there are smaller, faster programs out there that have the same functionality as Rainmeter.

@Mike:

If you are so sure then go out find it and post it. I get really tired of comments like yours. Others have gone out of their way to find this. If you can do better then do so. Dont forget it must be FREE and must be portable. Otherwise keep comments like that to yourself

my thoughts exactly.

Point taken. Didn't mean to sound so harsh but this app does run a little slow.

Back to Edgar's initial comment...
Has it been working for something else?
@Edgar, did you finally manage to have it working?

The program is now available in a non-install zip file. As is, it will create directories in the user app directory, but if you create a rainmeter.ini (or rename default.ini to rainmeter.ini) in the Rainmeter folder it is completely portable.

@Edgar and all that are interested in this:
Yes, it works in portable mode. Do what Rick says and you're fine. I've found only one problem which I can't solve at the moment: configuring the launch button at the bottom, doesn't seem to support relative paths.

wow ..!
i have been using this as a Portable Version since running into this:
http://rudeboyses.deviantart.com/art/Essential-Bar-Rev-2-0-212089595

i never took the time to test if it was stealth..
Thanks TPFC !

@ Mike
i actually have the opposite view..
i switched from Windows Sidebar because i felt Rainmeter was lighter and faster. My Desktop loads much faster.

@ Rick
where can i get the zip file you're talking about?

I'm the Mike who had posted a few years ago that I didn't like this app. I don't remember what I saw that led me to conclude that this app runs too slow, but it doesn't matter now. I decided to give Rainmeter another try and was impressed. I'm going to play around with it to realize its potential but I can tell you now that this one's a keeper. I wish I hadn't posted so harshly about it earlier.

@ mjbdiver

it was probably different back then.
it's been a few years since your original posting :)

i remember seeing this back then but didn't give it a second thought because i also didn't see the purpose.

but after running into that deviantART post, i decided to give it a try.
im glad i did, because it's much more customizable, lighter, and easier on the eyes than Windows Sidebar Gadget.

what i do is install Rainmeter as a Portable onto "D" drive.
install Visual C++.
then create a shortcut of Rainmeter, and drop into "Startup" folder.
what helps speed up my Desktop is by disabling sidebar in Task Scheduler, and in Spybot S&D's startup manager.

F.Y.I
64-Bit users require a few more dependency files.. here's what i needed to make this work portably:
gdiplus.dll
msvcp90.dll
msvcp100.dll
msvcr90.dll
msvcr100.dll

-----

I tried bypassing Microsoft Visual C++ and finally figured out how why it was not working.

I needed the x64Bit "MSVCR100.dll"..
The version posted here is for x32Bit.

Anyway..
if anyone out there is wondering why it's not working.. here's the x64Bit.. put in same folder as Rainmter:
http://www.mediafire.com/?3978r3ojdh3oo32

Don't forget the other files.. if you need all the dependency files:
http://www.mediafire.com/?0b30m9u89p8eq8x

Ι have 32 bit(XP) and i also need MSVCP100.dll and MSVCR100.dll

Another swing and a miss! I tried the previous version, and now this updated version, and the MSVCP100.dll problem still exists. It won't run as a portable. I tried the fixes from the Rainmeter website and from older posts above...still no luck on XP, 7, and 8RP. (For the fun of it, I did a full install of Rainmeter on 8RP and it runs great.)

The solution for missing DLL´s on XP (dunno other versions) is install the non portable version , uninstall it then install the portable option. Worked like a charm.

F.Y.I

Rainmeter v2.5 now requires MSVCP110 series of DLLs :(

The last version that does not require the 110 series:
http://rainmeter.googlecode.com/files/Rainmeter-2.5-r1720-beta.exe

You can then use the DLLs provided here, or the MediaFire links.

Thanks a lot @Magibon. The provided dependencies worked on Win7x64/Feb2013. As a note, I had to reinstall in portable mode and move skins and rainmeter.ini to the new instalation folder in order to make it work; copying dependencies to my original portable installation keept it failing. Thanks again.

FYI: updated link.. previously linked to v2.4.

@ All
All i needed additionally are:
1. msvcp110.dll
2. msvcr110.dll

im not sure if it's just my system.. but i recommend starting with those 2 and if more DLLs are required.. Rainmeter will alert you.

Updated post w/ new dependencies from my computer to ensure cleanliness.