Windows 11 comes packed with powerful system monitoring tools, helping you keep an eye on your PC’s health, performance, and security. However, with so many tools available—both built-in and third-party—it can be overwhelming to keep everything organized and accessible. This guide breaks down the top 10 ways to organize your Windows system monitoring tools, making it easy to monitor your system efficiently whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user.
1. Pin Key Monitoring Tools to the Start Menu
For beginners:
The Start Menu is one of the quickest ways to access your favorite tools. Right-click on Task Manager, Resource Monitor, or other monitoring apps, then choose “Pin to Start”. You can then arrange these tiles in a dedicated section called “System Tools” for quick access.
For advanced users:
Use the drag-and-drop feature to group advanced tools like Performance Monitor and Event Viewer into a custom Start Menu folder. This keeps all monitoring resources one click away.
2. Create Taskbar Shortcuts
For beginners:
Right-click on a monitoring tool’s icon and select “Pin to taskbar”. This pins the app permanently for instant launching.
For advanced users:
Utilize taskbar toolbars to create folders of shortcuts for multiple monitoring utilities, giving you organized access from the taskbar itself.
3. Use Desktop Folders and Shortcuts
For beginners:
Right-click on the desktop, select “New” > “Folder”, and name it “System Monitoring”. Drag shortcuts for Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and any third-party tools into this folder.
For advanced users:
Create subfolders within this main folder for categories like “Performance”, “Security”, and “Network”, grouping relevant tools accordingly.
4. Group Tools in the Power User Menu (Win+X)
For beginners:
While you can’t customize the default Power User Menu (Win+X) directly, familiarize yourself with the existing entries—Task Manager, Device Manager, Event Viewer—and use them as a central hub for common monitoring needs.
For advanced users:
Use third-party utilities like Win+X Menu Editor to add additional system monitoring tools to the Power User Menu for even faster access.
5. Set Up Keyboard Shortcuts
For beginners:
Learn basic shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+Esc for Task Manager and Win+R then “perfmon” for Performance Monitor.
For advanced users:
Create custom keyboard shortcuts for your favorite third-party monitoring tools by right-clicking the shortcut > Properties > Shortcut key.
6. Use the Windows Search Bar
For beginners:
Click on the Start Menu and type the name of the monitoring tool (e.g., “Task Manager”) to find and open it quickly.
For advanced users:
Index additional folders containing portable or less-common monitoring tools so they appear in search results, making all your tools accessible with a quick search.
7. Organize with Glary Utilities
For beginners:
Download and install Glary Utilities. Use its “1-Click Maintenance” and “System Monitor” features to view and optimize your system from a single dashboard. Glary Utilities automatically groups essential monitoring functions—like startup management, disk usage, and memory status—making it perfect for easy organization.
For advanced users:
Dive into Glary Utilities’ advanced modules to schedule system health scans, customize monitoring widgets, and launch supplementary tools directly from the Glary Utilities interface. This turns Glary Utilities into a central control room for all your system monitoring needs.
8. Create a System Tools Folder in the Start All Apps List
For beginners:
Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs, create a folder called “System Tools”, and place your shortcuts here. They will now appear in the Start Menu’s All Apps list.
For advanced users:
Enhance this by adding scripts or batch files that launch multiple tools at once, or by categorizing tools within nested folders for even more organization.
9. Use Virtual Desktops for Dedicated Monitoring Spaces
For beginners:
Press Win+Tab and click “New Desktop”. Open all your system monitoring tools in this desktop space and switch to it when you want to check on system health.
For advanced users:
Name desktops (e.g., “Monitoring”, “Work”, “Gaming”) and use software like PowerToys to assign specific tools to each desktop automatically for a seamless workflow.
10. Schedule Automatic Monitoring Reports
For beginners:
Set up basic Windows Task Scheduler tasks to open monitoring tools at set intervals, reminding you to check your system health regularly.
For advanced users:
Configure advanced scheduled tasks that trigger email reports or log files when certain system metrics are reached, giving proactive insight into your PC’s performance and stability.
Beginner Tips: Where to Start?
If you’re new to system monitoring, focus on the basics:
– Pin Task Manager and Resource Monitor to your Start Menu or Taskbar.
– Use Glary Utilities for a simple, unified dashboard.
– Explore built-in tools one at a time to understand what each does.
Advanced Tips: Deepening Your Monitoring Setup
For power users looking for more control:
– Customize the Power User Menu with extra tools.
– Script batch files to launch multiple monitoring windows.
– Integrate advanced features from Glary Utilities, such as process monitoring and scheduled maintenance, for comprehensive coverage.
Conclusion
Organizing your Windows 11 system monitoring tools doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple strategies—like pinning, grouping, and using comprehensive utilities like Glary Utilities—you can keep your system running smoothly and stay on top of potential issues. Whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, these organization tips will help you make the most of your monitoring toolkit.