Effective system monitoring and analysis are essential for maintaining a high-performing Windows PC. For intermediate users, leveraging built-in Windows tools and features can reveal valuable insights, improve security, and ensure your system runs smoothly. This guide explores ten built-in features that every Windows user should know, offering expert tips and actionable steps. Additionally, we’ll discuss how supplementing built-in tools with Glary Utilities can further streamline optimization and cleanup tasks.
What are the Key Built-in Tools for System Monitoring?
Windows Task Manager
Task Manager is the primary tool for real-time monitoring of system performance. It allows you to view CPU, memory, disk, and network usage for each running process.
How to use it: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. On the Processes tab, sort by CPU or Memory to identify resource-hogging programs. Use the Performance tab to see detailed resource usage graphs.
Expert tip: End unnecessary background tasks that consume high resources, but avoid terminating system or Windows processes.
Resource Monitor
Resource Monitor provides more granular details than Task Manager, especially for diagnosing performance bottlenecks.
How to use it: Open Task Manager, go to the Performance tab, then click “Open Resource Monitor.” Here, you can view real-time data on CPU, memory, disk, and network activity.
Real-world example: If your disk usage is consistently at 100%, Resource Monitor can help pinpoint which processes are causing the spike.
Reliability Monitor
Reliability Monitor tracks system stability and critical events over time. It displays a timeline of system changes, crashes, and warnings.
How to use it: Search for “Reliability Monitor” in the Start menu or access it via Control Panel > Security and Maintenance > Maintenance > View reliability history.
Expert tip: Use this tool to investigate causes of frequent crashes or application failures. The stability index helps you assess if recent changes have negatively impacted your system.
Performance Monitor
Performance Monitor (PerfMon) is a powerful tool for advanced performance analysis, allowing custom data collector sets and monitoring specific metrics over time.
How to use it: Type “perfmon” in the Start menu to launch. You can add counters (like CPU usage, disk queue length) for real-time monitoring or log data for later analysis.
Actionable advice: Create a baseline performance log before and after making system tweaks or upgrades to compare results.
Windows Event Viewer
Event Viewer logs detailed system, application, and security events. It’s invaluable for diagnosing errors, tracking security events, and auditing system activity.
How to use it: Press Win + X and choose Event Viewer. Navigate event logs (System, Application, Security) to find warnings or errors related to hardware or software issues.
Expert tip: Regularly check for recurring errors or warnings, and research event IDs online for troubleshooting guidance.
How Can Windows Security Features Aid Monitoring?
Windows Security (Windows Defender)
Windows Security provides real-time protection, firewall management, and device health monitoring.
How to use it: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security. From here, review protection history, run scans, and monitor device health reports.
Practical advice: Schedule periodic scans and enable notifications for potential threats.
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
The built-in firewall controls inbound and outbound network connections, providing a layer of monitoring against unauthorized access.
How to use it: Search for “Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security” in the Start menu. Review active rules, monitor blocked connections, and set custom rules for sensitive applications.
Expert recommendation: Create outbound rules for apps that should not access the internet, increasing security and reducing bandwidth usage.
Are There Tools for Storage and Disk Monitoring?
Storage Sense
Storage Sense helps automate disk cleanup and monitor available storage space.
How to use it: Go to Settings > System > Storage. Enable Storage Sense to automatically delete temporary files and manage disk space.
Step-by-step: Set custom cleanup schedules for Downloads, Recycle Bin, and temporary files to maintain optimal storage health.
Disk Cleanup Utility
Disk Cleanup is an essential tool for removing unnecessary system files and freeing up space.
How to use it: Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu, select your drive, and choose the files to delete, such as system cache, previous Windows installations, and temporary files.
Practical example: Run Disk Cleanup after major Windows updates to clear out old system files.
How Can You Monitor Battery and Power Usage?
Battery Report
For laptop users, Windows can generate a detailed battery report with usage patterns, battery health, and charge cycles.
How to use it: Open Command Prompt as administrator and enter powercfg /batteryreport. The report will be saved as an HTML file for detailed analysis.
Expert tip: Review battery wear level and recent usage to adjust your power management settings for longer battery life.
How Does Glary Utilities Enhance Built-in Monitoring?
While built-in tools are powerful, Glary Utilities offers an all-in-one solution that complements Windows’ features for deeper system optimization. It provides:
– One-click system cleanup and repair
– Startup manager to control boot processes
– Registry cleaner and optimizer
– Disk analyzer for detailed storage usage
– Integrated performance monitoring dashboard
For example, after using Windows tools to identify issues, Glary Utilities can automate cleanup, fix registry errors, and manage startup programs—tasks that would otherwise require multiple steps with native utilities.
Conclusion: How Can You Combine These Tools for Better Management?
By mastering these ten built-in Windows features, intermediate users can proactively monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize their systems. For regular maintenance and enhanced automation, integrate Glary Utilities into your routine. This combination ensures your PC remains secure, efficient, and responsive—empowering you to get the most from your Windows experience.