System monitoring is essential for maintaining the health, performance, and security of your Windows PC. If you’re a beginner wanting to take charge of your computer’s resources, errors, and activity, organizing your system monitoring tools is the first step. This guide walks you through the available Windows tools and how to organize and use them efficiently, with beginner-friendly steps and practical examples.
Why Should You Monitor Your Windows System?
Monitoring your Windows system helps you:
– Identify resource hogs and apps slowing down your PC.
– Catch hardware issues before they become serious.
– Spot unusual activity indicating malware or security risks.
– Keep your system running smoothly with minimal manual intervention.
Which Built-In System Monitoring Tools Does Windows Offer?
Windows 10 and 11 come with several powerful, built-in system monitoring tools:
Task Manager – For real-time monitoring of running programs, CPU, RAM, disk, and network use.
Resource Monitor – For detailed insight into how individual processes use your system’s resources.
Performance Monitor – For advanced tracking and creating custom performance reports.
Event Viewer – For reviewing system logs, errors, and important security events.
Reliability Monitor – For a history of system stability and error events.
How Can You Easily Access and Organize These Tools?
A common challenge for beginners is remembering where to find all these tools. Here’s how you can make access easy:
Pin Tools to the Taskbar or Start Menu:
1. Open the Start menu and type the tool’s name (e.g., Task Manager).
2. Right-click the tool from the search results.
3. Select either Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar for one-click access.
Create a “System Tools” Shortcut Folder on Your Desktop:
1. Right-click on your Desktop, select New and then Folder.
2. Name the folder “System Tools”.
3. Open the folder, then drag and drop shortcuts for Task Manager, Resource Monitor, Event Viewer, and others into it.
4. To create a shortcut, search for the tool, right-click, and choose Open file location. Then, right-click on the app, select Send to, and choose Desktop (create shortcut).
Use Quick Keyboard Shortcuts:
– Task Manager: Ctrl + Shift + Esc
– Resource Monitor: Press Windows Key + R, type resmon, and hit Enter.
– Performance Monitor: Windows Key + R, type perfmon, and hit Enter.
– Event Viewer: Windows Key + R, type eventvwr, and hit Enter.
– Reliability Monitor: Open the Start menu, type reliability, and select View reliability history.
What Should You Monitor Regularly?
1. CPU and Memory Usage:
– Open Task Manager.
– Check the Processes tab for apps using high CPU or Memory.
– Right-click on resource-heavy apps to end them if they’re unresponsive.
2. Disk and Network Activity:
– Use Resource Monitor for deeper detail.
– In Resource Monitor, check the Disk and Network tabs to see which apps transfer data or use disk resources the most.
3. System Stability:
– Launch Reliability Monitor.
– Review the graph for red X icons, which indicate errors or failures.
– Click on events to read more details and take recommended actions.
4. System Events and Errors:
– Open Event Viewer.
– Browse through the Windows Logs section for Application and System logs.
– Look for Warning or Error entries, and use the information to search online for solutions.
Is There an Easier Way to Monitor and Maintain Your PC?
While Windows’ built-in tools are powerful, beginners may find them a bit overwhelming or time-consuming for regular maintenance. For a more user-friendly and comprehensive solution, consider using Glary Utilities.
How Can Glary Utilities Help Beginners Monitor and Maintain Their System?
Glary Utilities combines several monitoring and maintenance tools in a single, easy-to-use interface:
– Automatic Performance Monitoring: See CPU, RAM, and disk usage at a glance.
– One-Click Maintenance: Clean junk files, fix registry issues, and optimize startup items automatically.
– System Information: View hardware and software details without searching for hidden menus.
– Scheduled Maintenance: Set up regular cleanups and system checks, so your PC remains healthy with minimal effort.
To use Glary Utilities:
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Launch the program and explore the Overview panel for real-time monitoring.
3. Use the 1-Click Maintenance tab to clean and optimize your system.
4. Visit the Advanced Tools section for detailed system information and monitoring.
What’s the Best Approach for Beginners?
Start by organizing shortcuts to built-in tools for quick access. Make a habit of checking your system’s performance weekly. If you want an easier way to keep everything in check, try Glary Utilities for one-stop maintenance and monitoring.
With these steps, you’ll have all your essential Windows system tools organized and ready—helping you catch issues early, keep your PC running smoothly, and grow more confident in managing your computer.