Windows 10 includes a variety of built-in system information tools that help users monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize their PCs. However, many users—both beginners and advanced—do not fully utilize these tools, or miss out on ways they can be enhanced for better insight and control. Drawing on professional experience, this article explores ten actionable strategies to improve your use of Windows system information tools, offering step-by-step guidance for all skill levels.
Why System Information Tools Matter
Understanding your system’s hardware and software details is essential for troubleshooting, upgrading components, or optimizing performance. Accurate system information helps you make informed decisions about updates, compatibility, and security.
1. Get Comfortable with System Information (msinfo32)
Beginner: To open the System Information tool, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and hit Enter. Here, you’ll see detailed specs about your CPU, RAM, motherboard, BIOS, and more.
Advanced: Use the Export feature (File > Export) to save a complete snapshot of your system configuration. This is invaluable for support requests or comparing changes after hardware upgrades.
2. Take Advantage of Task Manager’s Performance Tab
Beginner: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and click the Performance tab. You’ll see live graphs for CPU, memory, disk, network, and GPU usage.
Advanced: Right-click the graphs to change the view, or use Resource Monitor (link at the bottom) for deeper metrics. This helps pinpoint performance bottlenecks in real time.
3. Explore Device Manager for Hardware Status
Beginner: Access Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and choosing Device Manager. Here, you can check the status of hardware components and update drivers.
Advanced: Use the View menu to show hidden devices, which can reveal problematic or legacy hardware.
4. Use Command-Line Tools for Quick Insights
Beginner: Open Command Prompt and type systeminfo to get a brief overview of your system’s specs.
Advanced: Leverage PowerShell commands like Get-ComputerInfo or Get-WmiObject Win32_Processor for advanced queries and automation scripts.
5. Harness Third-Party Utilities for Enhanced Details
Glary Utilities: For those seeking deeper insights, Glary Utilities offers a comprehensive System Information tool. It provides extensive details on hardware, system drivers, installed software, and network status—often in more user-friendly formats than Windows’ built-ins.
Beginners can use Glary’s one-click maintenance tools to quickly scan and understand system health, while advanced users will appreciate its detailed component breakdowns and export options for reporting.
6. Monitor System Health with Reliability Monitor
Beginner: Type Reliability in Windows Search and open the Reliability Monitor. It displays a timeline of system events, crashes, and warnings.
Advanced: Use this to correlate system issues with hardware or software changes, making troubleshooting faster and more precise.
7. Customize the Information You See
Beginner: In System Information, use the Find feature (Edit > Find) to quickly locate specific details like “BIOS Version” or “RAM”.
Advanced: Build custom scripts (using PowerShell or batch files) that automatically gather and consolidate crucial system info for regular audits.
8. Keep Drivers and System Updates in Check
Beginner: Regularly check Windows Update for system patches and use Device Manager to update drivers.
Advanced: Use Glary Utilities’ Driver Manager to identify outdated or missing drivers, ensuring maximum system stability and compatibility.
9. Use System Tools for Remote Diagnostics
Beginner: Share msinfo32 export files with support professionals for remote troubleshooting.
Advanced: Employ Remote Desktop or PowerShell Remoting to access and diagnose other PCs on your network, using system information tools for fleet management.
10. Combine Tools for In-Depth Analysis
Beginner: Start with Task Manager and System Information for basic checks.
Advanced: Correlate data from Windows’ built-in tools with Glary Utilities’ reports for a holistic view. For example, use Glary’s Disk Analysis to supplement Windows’ Storage settings, or combine performance data from Task Manager with Glary’s startup manager to optimize boot times.
Pro Tips for Both Skill Levels
For Beginners:
– Schedule regular scans with Glary Utilities to keep your system healthy and catch issues early.
– Familiarize yourself with the basic Windows tools before moving to advanced features or third-party utilities.
For Advanced Users:
– Integrate Windows system information commands into your monitoring scripts.
– Use Glary Utilities’ reporting and export functions to maintain documentation or support multiple systems.
Conclusion
Improving your use of Windows system information tools is a smart, long-term investment in your PC’s health and performance. Whether you’re just starting out or are managing a fleet of computers, leveraging both built-in utilities and advanced solutions like Glary Utilities gives you the insight and flexibility needed to make informed decisions, streamline maintenance, and optimize your workflow. Start exploring these strategies today to unlock the full potential of your Windows 10 system tools.