Windows 11’s Task Manager and Resource Monitor tools have tabs that show RAM, CPU, network, and hard disk system resource usage. However, you can add some system resource usage info to the system tray. Doing so will enable you to immediately check system resource utilization by glancing at the system tray area.
This is how you may add resource usage indicators to the Windows system tray with Task Manager and third-party apps.
How to Add System Resource Usage Details to the System Tray With Task Manager
Task Manager adds one small system resource icon to the system tray that shows RAM (system memory), CPU (central processor), network, and disk drive utilization when running. However, that icon will only be visible in the system tray when you have Task Manager open on the taskbar unless configured otherwise. You can keep those system resource details in the system tray without having Task Manager open on the taskbar as follows:
Selecting to minimize Task Manager will now effectively close that utility’s window, but its PC resource usage details will remain visible within the system tray. Move your cursor over the small square icon in the system tray to view a tooltip showing RAM, CPU, network, and disk utilization for your PC. Clicking that system tray icon reopens the Task Manager window on its graphicalPerformancetab.
If you may’t see Task Manager’s system tray icon, it’s probably within the hidden icon menu. Click the small arrow by the system tray to view the hidden icon menu. Or you canset the system tray to show an iconfor Task Manager.
How to Add System Resource Usage Details to the System Tray With Performance Monitor
Task Manager only adds one PC resource usage icon to the system tray, which is a little limited. You can add four separate RAM, CPU, network, and disk usage indicators to the system tray with Performance Monitor. That software also includes customization settings for each icon. Here’s how you can add system resource usage information to your system tray with Performance Monitor.
Now you’ll see four separate system tray icons for your PC’s RAM, processor, network, and disk utilization within the system tray or overflow menu. Each icon shows a miniature usage line graph for its system resource. Hover your mouse’s cursor over the icons to view percentage usage stats for the system resource.
You can change the colors of the resource icons from their tabs inPerformance Monitor. For example, to change the color of the RAM icon, click theBackground Coloroption on theMemorytab. Then select a different color for the resource indicator on the palette and clickOK.
Performance Monitor also has an option for adding larger system resource panels to the Windows desktop. Select theShow this Paneloptions on theCPU,Memory,Disk, andNetworktabs and clickOK. Then you’ll see a graph panel for each resource at the top left of the desktop. You can drag those panels to reposition them on the desktop.
How to Add System Resource Usage Details to the System Tray With System Explorer
System Explorer is a third-partysoftware alternative to the Task Manageryou can add to Windows. That software adds more detailed PC resource usage info to the system tray than Task Manager.
you may add PC resource usage info to your system tray with System Explorer like this:
Now you’ll see an icon for System Explorer in the system tray. Move the cursor over the System Explorer icon to view a panel that shows computer resource info. That panel includes resource bars for CPU Usage, Memory Usage, and Swap Usage system resource bars.
If you’re a laptop user, you’ll notice System Explorer’s resource usage panel also includes a Battery sidebar. That bar shows how much battery is left. Below that bar, there are estimated battery time and charge rate details.
you may configure what this system resource panel shows by clickingSettingson it. That will bring up a small menu with additional configuration settings. Select and deselect items to include or exclude on the system resource panel there.
To view the computer resource usage details in System Explorer’s window, double-click the software’s system tray icon. Click the+icon in System Explorer’s window and selectPerformance. That will bring up aPerformancetab showing line graphs for processor, pages faulted, disk, and RAM usage.
Don’t forget to check out theProcessestab to see how System Explorer compares with Task Manager. That tab includes options you’re able to select to show or hide processes. For example, you can click theShow Microsoft System Entriesoption to hide Microsoft processes. Plus, that tab includes a search box, which is a handy addition for finding processes.
View Your System Resource Usage Info Directly From Your System Tray
It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on CPU and RAM utilization to check you’re not overloading your PC, which impacts system performance. System resource usage details will be much more visible when added to the Windows system tray with Task Manager, Performance Monitor, and System Explorer. To have such computer resource info within the system tray is undoubtedly more convenient for monitoring system resource usage.
