The Best Ways to Monitor CPU Usage in Windows (Tools & Tips)

Keeping track of your CPU usage is essential to ensure your Windows computer runs smoothly. High CPU usage can slow down your system, cause overheating, and lead to crashes. This guide will show you how to monitor CPU usage in Windows using built-in tools and third-party applications.

1. Use Task Manager

The easiest way to check CPU usage is through Windows Task Manager.

1. Press **Ctrl + Shift + Esc** to open Task Manager.
2. Click the **Performance** tab.
3. Select **CPU** to view real-time CPU usage.

You can also check which applications are using the most CPU under the **Processes** tab.

2. Use Resource Monitor

Resource Monitor provides a more detailed view of CPU activity.

1. Press **Win + R**, type **resmon**, and hit Enter.
2. Click the **CPU** tab to see active processes.
3. Look at the **Average CPU** column to identify heavy usage.

3. Use Performance Monitor

Performance Monitor allows you to track CPU usage over time.

1. Press **Win + R**, type **perfmon**, and press Enter.
2. Click **Performance Monitor** under **Monitoring Tools**.
3. Add **Processor Information** to monitor detailed performance stats.

4. Use Command Prompt (CMD)

You can check CPU usage using Command Prompt.

1. Open **Command Prompt** as Administrator.
2. Type: **wmic cpu get loadpercentage**
3. Press Enter to see real-time CPU usage.

5. Use PowerShell

PowerShell can provide CPU monitoring stats.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Type: **Get-Counter "\Processor(_Total)\% Processor Time"**
3. Press Enter to see CPU usage percentage.

6. Use Third-Party CPU Monitoring Tools

For advanced monitoring, third-party applications provide more insights.

HWMonitor – Displays CPU temperature, power usage, and performance.
Core Temp – Monitors CPU temperature and load in real-time.
Process Explorer – A powerful tool from Microsoft for analyzing CPU consumption.
MSI Afterburner – Popular among gamers for tracking CPU and GPU usage.

7. Check CPU Temperature

Overheating can lead to high CPU usage. Monitoring CPU temperature is important.

1. Download and install **HWMonitor** or **Core Temp**.
2. Open the software to check temperature readings.
3. Ensure temperatures stay below **85°C** under load.

8. Reduce High CPU Usage

If your CPU usage is too high, try these fixes:

Close unnecessary background programs using Task Manager.
Disable startup applications via Task Manager’s **Startup** tab.
Scan for malware with **Windows Defender** or a third-party antivirus.
Check for Windows updates to patch performance issues.

Conclusion

Monitoring CPU usage in Windows helps you detect performance issues and prevent overheating. Whether you use built-in tools like Task Manager and Resource Monitor or third-party apps like HWMonitor, keeping an eye on your CPU usage will ensure smooth performance.

For more tech guides, visit Microsoft Windows Support.