BuffMyBar is a native Windows 11 desktop bar designed to provide users with a flexible, lightweight, and highly customizable alternative inspired by Linux tools like Waybar and Polybar. Built using WPF and .NET 8, BuffMyBar supports multi-monitor setups, follows the Windows theme automatically, and integrates seamlessly with core system functions such as clock, weather, media controls, network status, Bluetooth, battery monitoring, volume control, an audio visualizer, and OBS integration.
Key Features
Native Performance: Built using WPF and .NET 8 for optimal performance and minimal resource usage.
Multi-Monitor Support: Automatically detects and configures bars for each monitor with per-monitor DPI awareness.
Windows Theme Synchronization: Adapts to light/dark mode and accent color changes in real time.
Rich Widget Set: Includes clock/calendar, weather (using Environment Canada data), system monitoring, media controls, network status, Bluetooth, battery, volume, and an audio visualizer with OBS integration.
Fullscreen App Compatibility: Pauses the visualizer during games and adjusts reserved space for maximized windows.
Winget Installation: Easily deploy BuffMyBar using the Windows Package Manager with winget install IneedABUFF.BuffMyBar.
Target Audience and Benefits
Ideal for power users, developers, and Linux enthusiasts who want a customizable desktop experience on Windows without sacrificing performance or compatibility. BuffMyBar provides tangible benefits such as enhanced system monitoring, real-time weather updates, OBS integration for streamers, and seamless Windows 11 integration, all while maintaining low resource usage and native performance.
README
BuffMyBar
A native Windows desktop bar inspired by the flexibility of Linux desktops.
Lightweight • Native WPF • Multi-monitor • Windows 11 Integration • Open Source
What is BuffMyBar?
BuffMyBar is a native Windows desktop bar designed for users who love the flexibility of Linux desktop environments while keeping the performance and compatibility of Windows.
It is not a Waybar clone.
Instead, BuffMyBar follows the same philosophy:
Native performance
Minimal memory usage
Beautiful animations
Follows the Windows look
Windows-first integration
Everything is built using native WPF and Windows APIs.
No Electron.
No Chromium.
No web technologies.
Features
Desktop
Native Windows 11 desktop bar, one per monitor
Multi-monitor support with automatic monitor detection
Automatic per-monitor DPI awareness
Taskbar-like reserved space: windows never maximize under the bar
(self-heals, and re-registers when Explorer restarts)
Fullscreen-app friendly (reclaims its space, pauses the visualizer during games)
Widgets
Clock & calendar — time + date, with a hover calendar flyout and optional
Google Calendar events
Weather — official Environment Canada data (no API key), with native
animated icons and a detailed hover flyout (feels-like, humidity, wind, 3-day forecast)
Audio visualizer — WASAPI loopback spectrum
System monitor — CPU / RAM / GPU / CPU temperature indicators, with a
hover flyout showing live meters
Network — local / public IP, optional latency (game mode)
Media — now-playing via Windows media controls (play/pause, next/previous)
