What is the Rainmeter Trojan?
Your antivirus just flagged Rainmeter as a Trojan and now you’re not sure whether to panic or ignore it — this is actually a situation where the answer really matters. Read this article right now to understand what’s actually going on, whether you have a real infection or a false positive, and what you need to do. The guide at the bottom covers both scenarios.
Rainmeter itself is a completely legitimate, open-source Windows desktop customization tool used by millions of users worldwide to display system stats, clocks, and visual widgets on their desktop. Downloaded from the official site at rainmeter.net, it poses zero security risk. However, there are two serious and distinct scenarios where Rainmeter becomes a genuine security concern. First, some antivirus tools — particularly lower-quality ones — generate false positive detections on Rainmeter’s installer due to how it’s compiled or on certain third-party skins that bundle tools like NirCmd. Second, and far more dangerously, cybercriminals distribute fake or trojanized Rainmeter installers through unofficial download sites, forums, and skin repositories on platforms like DeviantArt. If you downloaded Rainmeter from anywhere other than the official rainmeter.net site, you may genuinely have malware on your system disguised as the legitimate tool.
Rainmeter Trojan Short Overview
| Type | False positive risk from low-quality AV tools on legitimate software / Genuine Trojan risk from third-party or unofficial Rainmeter downloads and skins. |
| Symptoms | Antivirus alert flagging Rainmeter.exe or a skin file as a Trojan. If a genuine infection: unusual system behavior, browser settings changed, unexpected pop-ups and banners, unauthorized account activity, or additional malware installed. If a false positive: no system changes and a clean VirusTotal scan from top AV vendors. |
| Removal Time | Approximately 15 minutes for a full-system scan |
| Removal Tool |
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How Did I Get a Rainmeter-Related Infection?
Whether you’re dealing with a false positive or a real threat, understanding how Rainmeter gets flagged — or how malware gets in through it — is important. Here are the scenarios:
- Unofficial download sites — If you downloaded Rainmeter from anywhere other than the official rainmeter.net site, there’s a real chance the installer was modified to include a Trojan payload delivered through software bundling. Third-party download portals frequently repackage legitimate software with hidden PUPs or worse.
- Malicious skins from DeviantArt or other skin repositories — The official Rainmeter team has explicitly warned that malicious skins were being uploaded to DeviantArt. Some skin files bundled with executable components like NirCmd or custom DLLs have been confirmed to contain malware — triggering real detections, not false positives.
- Fake update prompts — Some users have reported receiving a fake in-browser notification claiming their Rainmeter needed an update, only to download a trojanized version from a malicious redirect posing as the official site.
- False positive from weak AV tools — If you downloaded from rainmeter.net and only one low-reputation antivirus flagged it (while ESET, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, and Windows Defender gave it a clean bill of health), you’re almost certainly looking at a false positive on the AutoIT-compiled components used by some Rainmeter tools.
What Does a Real Rainmeter-Based Trojan Do?
If you’ve confirmed through VirusTotal (checking results from top-tier vendors) that the flagged file represents a genuine threat, here’s what malware distributed through fake or trojanized Rainmeter packages typically does:
- Browser hijacking — A trojanized Rainmeter package can install a browser hijacker that changes your home page, new tab page, and default search engine while locking these settings to prevent you from changing them back.
- Data theft — Malicious skin files with embedded executables can act as spyware, reading sensitive files and performing data collection on your credentials, browser data, and personal files before transmitting them to a remote C&C server.
- Registry modification — Real trojans delivered via fake Rainmeter installers modify registry key entries to ensure they persist across reboots and resist removal attempts through standard uninstall processes.
- Additional malware installation — The trojanized installer may serve as a dropper for further adware, ransomware components, or other malicious tools downloaded silently in the background after initial infection.
The key takeaway: if you downloaded from rainmeter.net and only one obscure AV flagged it, you’re probably fine — add an exception and move on. If you downloaded from anywhere else, or if multiple reputable AV engines flagged it, treat it as a real infection and clean immediately.
What Should You Do?
Upload the flagged file to VirusTotal and check whether top-tier vendors like ESET, Kaspersky, or Bitdefender flag it. If they do, you have a real infection — follow the removal guide below this article immediately. If they don’t, it’s almost certainly a false positive — add an exception in your AV for the official Rainmeter executable and re-download from rainmeter.net to be safe. Either way, the guide below will walk you through the process.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Preparation before removing Rainmeter Trojan.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for Rainmeter Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Rainmeter Trojan on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Rainmeter Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by Rainmeter Trojan on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Rainmeter Trojan FAQ
What Does Rainmeter Trojan Trojan Do?
The Rainmeter Trojan Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like Rainmeter Trojan, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can Rainmeter Trojan Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can Rainmeter Trojan Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the Rainmeter Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Rainmeter Trojan how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on Rainmeter Trojan?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the Rainmeter Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.