Keeping your Windows 10 PC running smoothly doesn’t have to be a chore. Regular system optimization and maintenance are key to avoiding slowdowns, crashes, and other frustrations—especially if you’re short on time. Monitoring your PC’s health can help you catch issues before they become problems, and with the right tools and strategies, you can automate much of the process. Here are the top 10 ways to monitor and maintain optimal system performance, with practical advice for both beginners and experienced users.
For Beginners: Foundational Steps to Monitor and Maintain Your PC
1. Use Windows Task Manager to Track Performance
Windows Task Manager is built into every Windows 10 computer and gives you a clear snapshot of how your resources are being used. To open it, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
What to monitor:
– CPU and Memory usage: High values might mean programs are overloading your system.
– Startup tab: Disable unnecessary startup programs to speed up boot time.
Real-world tip: Check Task Manager if your PC feels slow to quickly spot which apps are hogging resources.
2. Schedule Disk Cleanup Regularly
Windows Disk Cleanup is a quick way to free up disk space and remove temporary files. Run it by typing “Disk Cleanup” into the Start menu, select your drive, and follow the prompts.
Time-saving tip: Set a monthly reminder to clean up your drives. This prevents clutter buildup and improves performance with minimal effort.
3. Use Glary Utilities for One-Click Maintenance
Glary Utilities is a comprehensive tool that bundles cleanup, repair, and optimization tasks into a single interface. Beginners can use its 1-Click Maintenance feature to:
– Clean up junk files
– Fix registry errors
– Remove spyware and adware
– Optimize startup programs
How-to: Download and install Glary Utilities. Open the suite and select 1-Click Maintenance. Check the tasks you want to perform and click Scan, then Repair Problems.
Benefit: Glary Utilities automates many tedious tasks, saving time while keeping your system optimized.
4. Enable Windows Update for Automatic System Patching
Windows Update keeps your system secure and up-to-date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and ensure automatic updates are enabled. Updated systems are not only more secure but often run better due to performance patches.
5. Monitor Storage Sense for Automatic Cleanup
Storage Sense is a built-in Windows 10 feature that automatically deletes temporary files and manages OneDrive content.
To enable:
– Go to Settings > System > Storage
– Toggle on Storage Sense
– Click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now” for further customization
This hands-off approach regularly frees up space with no manual intervention.
Advanced User Section: Proactive and Automated Monitoring
6. Set Up Performance Monitor for Custom Alerts
Performance Monitor (perfmon) is a powerful Windows tool for advanced users who want to keep tabs on system metrics.
How to use:
– Open Run (Win + R), type perfmon, and press Enter
– Create custom Data Collector Sets to monitor CPU, disk, memory, and network usage
– Set alerts to notify you when thresholds are exceeded
Example: Create an alert for when disk usage exceeds 90% to avoid running out of space unexpectedly.
7. Audit and Optimize Services with Autoruns
Autoruns is a free Microsoft Sysinternals tool that lets you see and manage all startup items, including hidden services and drivers.
To use:
– Download Autoruns from Microsoft’s website
– Run as administrator to view all autostart entries
– Disable unnecessary or suspicious items
This can dramatically improve boot times and reduce resource usage.
8. Use Glary Utilities’ Advanced Tools for Deep Optimization
Beyond 1-Click Maintenance, Glary Utilities offers modules such as:
– Disk Defrag: Optimize file placement for faster access
– Registry Cleaner: Deep scan and repair registry issues
– Driver Updater: Keep hardware drivers current for peak performance
Advanced users can run these modules individually for targeted optimization, or schedule them to run automatically.
9. Monitor System Health with Reliability Monitor
Reliability Monitor provides a timeline of system events, crashes, and warnings. Access it by typing “Reliability Monitor” in the Start menu.
Benefits:
– Identify patterns behind slowdowns or crashes
– Quickly spot problematic updates or hardware issues
Regularly reviewing this can help you proactively address potential problems.
10. Schedule Maintenance Tasks with Task Scheduler
Automating routine maintenance saves time and ensures consistency. With Task Scheduler, you can set up:
– Automatic disk defragmentation
– Scheduled script execution for cleanup tasks
– Alerts for specific event logs
Example: Schedule Glary Utilities to run optimization modules weekly, ensuring your PC stays in top shape without manual effort.
Summary: Combine Tools and Automation for Efficiency
Monitoring and maintaining your Windows 10 system doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Beginners can use built-in tools like Task Manager and Storage Sense, while advanced users can leverage Performance Monitor and Autoruns for deeper insights. Glary Utilities bridges the gap, offering both simple one-click options for novices and advanced features for power users, all within a single, user-friendly package.
Regular attention—combined with smart automation—means your PC will remain fast, reliable, and secure, letting you focus on what matters most.