Effective system monitoring is the backbone of a stable, high-performing Windows PC. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues, aiming to optimize speed, or just keeping a watchful eye on system health, understanding and leveraging the right system tools is crucial. Below, you’ll find practical, professional tips for both beginners and advanced users to get the most from Windows’ monitoring capabilities, along with expert recommendations for third-party utilities like Glary Utilities.
Beginner Tips: Laying the Foundation
1. What Is Task Manager and How Can It Help?
Task Manager is the most accessible monitoring tool for Windows users. To open it, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Here, you can view CPU, memory, disk, and network usage in real time. If your system feels sluggish, check for unresponsive or resource-hungry programs in the Processes tab and end them safely.
Practical Example:
If a program freezes, open Task Manager, find the app in the Processes list, right-click, and select “End task” to recover system responsiveness.
2. How to Use Resource Monitor for Deeper Insights
Resource Monitor, accessed by typing “Resource Monitor” in the Windows Start menu, provides detailed graphs and statistics for CPU, memory, disk, and network activity. This tool is invaluable for troubleshooting issues such as memory leaks or identifying which processes are slowing your system.
Practical Example:
If your PC’s fan runs continuously, use Resource Monitor’s CPU tab to spot processes spiking usage, helping you pinpoint the cause.
3. Checking Storage Usage with Windows Settings
Navigate to Settings > System > Storage to see a breakdown of what’s using space on your drives. This can help you determine if you need to clean up files or uninstall unused programs.
Recommendation:
Use Glary Utilities’ Disk Cleaner to automate the process of finding and safely removing unnecessary files, freeing up space quickly.
4. Why Monitor Startup Programs?
Unnecessary startup programs can slow down boot times. In Task Manager’s Startup tab, you can disable programs that don’t need to run at startup.
Practical Example:
Disable non-essential programs like chat clients or updaters to improve boot speed.
Intermediate Tips: Going Beyond the Basics
5. How to Use Performance Monitor for Custom Tracking
Performance Monitor (Type “perfmon” in Start) lets you create custom monitoring reports and track performance counters such as disk queue length or available memory over time. This helps you identify long-term trends and recurring issues.
Step-by-Step:
– Open Performance Monitor
– Add counters for metrics you want to track (e.g., Memory > Available MBytes)
– Set up Data Collector Sets to log performance data for later analysis
6. Setting System Alerts
In Performance Monitor, set alerts that notify you when resources like CPU or memory exceed specific thresholds. This is useful for early detection of hardware or software issues.
7. Using Glary Utilities’ System Monitor Features
Glary Utilities includes built-in system monitoring tools. Its “Monitor” module displays real-time CPU, RAM, and disk usage, helping you identify and address potential bottlenecks.
Benefit:
Glary Utilities offers a user-friendly dashboard, ideal for those who want a quick overview without digging into advanced Windows tools.
Advanced Tips: For Power Users
8. How to Use Event Viewer for Troubleshooting
Event Viewer (type “Event Viewer” in Start) logs application, system, and security events. Reviewing logs can help diagnose crashes, failed updates, or hardware errors.
Practical Example:
When facing frequent blue screens, check the System log for critical errors or warnings around the time of the crash.
9. Monitoring Network Traffic with Built-in Tools
Windows includes tools like Resource Monitor (Network tab) and the command-line utility netstat. These help you see which apps are using your network and identify suspicious activity.
Step-by-Step:
– Open Resource Monitor > Network
– View active connections and network activity per process
10. Using Third-Party Tools for In-Depth Monitoring
Tools like Glary Utilities, HWMonitor, and Process Explorer provide detailed hardware and software monitoring. Glary Utilities, in particular, integrates health checks, performance optimizations, and alerts in one interface.
Benefit:
Glary Utilities offers “One-Click Maintenance” and deep-dive monitoring, making it easier to maintain optimal system performance.
11. Automating Maintenance Tasks
Set up scheduled scans and cleanups in Glary Utilities. Automated tasks can monitor disk health, clear junk files, and alert you to performance drops.
How-To:
Open Glary Utilities > Schedule Tasks > Choose maintenance actions and frequency.
12. Tracking System Changes and Updates
Keep track of system updates and driver installations via Windows Update History (Settings > Update & Security) and Device Manager. Monitor changes after updates to quickly identify causes of new issues.
Pro Tip:
Glary Utilities’ Software Update module lets you monitor and update outdated applications, reducing security risks and performance issues.
Conclusion
System monitoring is much more than responding to issues—it’s about staying ahead of potential problems and maintaining a smooth, responsive PC. Beginners can start with Task Manager and Resource Monitor for quick insights, while advanced users can leverage Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, and Glary Utilities for deeper analysis and automation. Regular use of these tools ensures your Windows experience remains trouble-free and optimized, whether you use your computer for work, gaming, or everyday tasks.