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As a Windows user, it is important to keep track of your computer’s system performance and resource usage to ensure its smooth operation. One of the key indicators of your computer’s health is its CPU usage. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your computer and it performs all the computations, calculations, and other tasks necessary for your computer to function. Understanding and monitoring the CPU usage on your Windows 10 computer can help you optimize its performance and improve its productivity. In this blog post, we will discuss how to check the CPU usage on Windows 10.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Check The CPU Usage on Windows 10
Windows 10 is a powerful and versatile operating system that is designed to support a wide range of applications and tasks. As a result, it is resource-intensive and its CPU usage can vary depending on the tasks and applications that are running on your computer. Checking your CPU usage on Windows 10 can be challenging because it requires navigating through different menus and settings to find the relevant information. Additionally, the CPU usage can change rapidly, making it difficult to monitor and analyze properly.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things you should prepare for to ensure that you can check the CPU usage on your Windows 10 computer effectively. These include:
- A Windows 10 computer
- Administrator privileges on your computer
- An understanding of the Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and PowerShell
Method 1: Task Manager
Task Manager is a built-in utility in Windows 10 that allows you to monitor and manage running applications, processes, and services. It is also an effective tool for checking your CPU usage on Windows 10. Here are the steps to check your CPU usage using Task Manager:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu.
2. Task Manager will open in a new window. Click on the Performance tab, and you will see a real-time graph of your CPU usage, along with other system performance metrics.
3. To view more detailed information about the programs and processes using your CPU, click on the CPU tab. This will show you a list of all the running programs and processes, sorted by their CPU usage.
4. To end any program or process that is consuming a lot of CPU resources, select it from the list and click on the End Task button.
Pros:
– Easy to access and use;
– Provides real-time information;
– Can be used to end unresponsive or resource-intensive programs.
Cons:
– Limited information about individual threads and processes;
– Can sometimes misrepresent CPU usage in certain cases.
Method 2: Resource Monitor
Resource Monitor is another built-in utility in Windows 10 that allows you to monitor system performance in real-time. It provides more detailed information about your CPU usage, including individual processes and threads. Here are the steps to check your CPU usage using Resource Monitor:
1. Open the Start menu, search for Resource Monitor, and click on the top result.
2. Resource Monitor will open in a new window. Click on the CPU tab, and you will see a real-time graph of your CPU usage, along with other performance metrics.
3. To view more detailed information about the programs and processes using your CPU, click on the CPU column header to sort the list by CPU usage. This will show you a list of all the running programs and processes, sorted by their CPU usage.
4. To end any program or process that is consuming a lot of CPU resources, select it from the list and click on the End Process button.
Pros:
– Provides more detailed information about individual threads and processes;
– Can help identify specific resource-intensive programs and processes.
Cons:
– Can be more difficult to use and navigate than Task Manager;
– Only provides real-time information and does not track history.
Method 3: PowerShell
PowerShell is a command-line utility in Windows 10 that allows you to automate and manage administrative tasks. It can also be used to check your CPU usage on Windows 10. Here are the steps to check your CPU usage using PowerShell:
1. Open the Start menu, search for PowerShell, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator from the context menu.
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
Get-Counter '\Processor(_Total)\% Processor Time'
3. PowerShell will display the CPU usage as a percentage, updated every second.
Pros:
– Can be used to automate administrative tasks;
– Provides real-time information.
Cons:
– Can be difficult to use and understand for non-technical users;
– Does not provide information about individual processes or threads.
Method 4: Performance Monitor
Performance Monitor is a built-in Windows 10 utility that allows you to monitor system performance over time. It can be used to track CPU usage, memory usage, disk activity, and other system performance metrics. Here are the steps to check your CPU usage using Performance Monitor:
1. Open the Start menu, search for Performance Monitor, and click on the top result.
2. In the Performance Monitor window, click on the + button to add a new counter.
3. In the Add Counters window, select Processor from the Performance object dropdown menu. Select % Processor Time from the list of available counters. Click on Add, and then click on OK.
4. Performance Monitor will start tracking your CPU usage. You can view the data in real-time by monitoring the graph in the main window. Alternatively, you can save the performance data to a log file and review it later.
Pros:
– Provides historical performance data;
– Can be used to track changes in CPU usage over time.
Cons:
– Can be more difficult to use and understand than other methods;
– Does not provide information about individual processes or threads.
Why Can’t I Check The CPU Usage on Windows 10
There are several reasons why you may encounter issues when trying to check the CPU usage on your Windows 10 computer. Some of the common reasons include:
1. Hidden processes or tasks: Some applications and tasks can run in the background, consuming CPU resources without your knowledge. These can be difficult to identify and stop, especially if they are hidden or disguised.
2. Malware or viruses: Malware and viruses can infect your computer’s system and cause it to consume excessive CPU resources. These can be difficult to detect and remove, especially if they are designed to evade detection.
3. Outdated or incompatible hardware: Old or incompatible hardware can cause your computer to consume more CPU resources than necessary, leading to decreased performance and productivity.
To fix these issues, you should make sure your computer is up to date with the latest software and security updates, scan for malware, viruses, and other threats using reputable antivirus software, and consider upgrading your hardware if necessary.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you check your CPU usage on Windows 10 more effectively:
1. Use keyboard shortcuts: Task Manager can be accessed quickly by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Resource Monitor can be accessed by pressing Win + R, typing "resmon" into the Run dialog box, and pressing Enter.
2. Use third-party software: There are many third-party monitoring utilities that can help you check your CPU usage on Windows 10. These often provide more advanced features and functionality than built-in Windows utilities.
3. Consider upgrading your hardware: If your computer is running slow or consuming excessive CPU resources, consider upgrading your hardware. This can help improve your computer’s performance and productivity.
5 FAQs about Checking The CPU Usage on Windows 10
Q1: How much CPU usage is normal on Windows 10?
A: Normal CPU usage on Windows 10 can vary depending on the tasks and applications you are running. In general, a CPU usage of around 10-20% is considered normal for most computers, while levels above 70-80% may indicate performance issues.
Q2: Can high CPU usage cause damage to my computer?
A: High CPU usage can cause your computer to overheat or become unstable, leading to crashes, freezes, and other performance issues. However, it is unlikely to cause any permanent damage to your computer.
Q3: How can I identify which programs are causing high CPU usage?
A: The Task Manager and Resource Monitor utilities in Windows 10 can help you identify which programs and processes are consuming the most CPU resources. Sorting the list of programs and processes by CPU usage can help you identify which ones are causing the issue.
Q4: Can I limit the CPU usage of specific programs or applications?
A: Yes, you can limit the CPU usage of specific programs and applications using the Task Manager utility in Windows 10. Simply right-click on the program or application and select Set Affinity or Set Priority from the context menu.
Q5: Does checking my CPU usage consume additional resources?
A: Yes, checking your CPU usage does consume additional resources, albeit not much. However, the resources used by monitoring utilities are usually minimal and should not impact your computer’s overall performance significantly.
In Conclusion
Checking your CPU usage on Windows 10 can help you optimize your computer’s performance, improve its productivity, and identify potential issues and problems. By using built-in Windows utilities like Task Manager, Resource Monitor, PowerShell, and Performance Monitor, as well as third-party monitoring software and hardware upgrades, you can effectively monitor and manage your computer’s CPU usage and ensure its smooth operation.