Monitoring internet speed directly from the taskbar is not only convenient but also essential for those who want to ensure their network is performing optimally. Whether you're troubleshooting slow connections or simply keeping an eye on your bandwidth usage, having real-time network data at your fingertips can be a game-changer. Two popular tools that allow you to do this are NetSpeedMonitor and TrafficMonitor.
NetSpeedMonitor is a longstanding favorite among users for displaying network speeds directly on the taskbar. Although it hasn't been updated since 2010, this freeware remains a reliable option, especially for those using older versions of Windows. However, installing NetSpeedMonitor on newer operating systems like Windows 10 or Windows 11 can present some challenges due to compatibility warnings. These warnings, while potentially off-putting, are actually easy to bypass with the correct steps, allowing you to enjoy the tool's full functionality without issue.
On the other hand, TrafficMonitor is a more recent alternative that provides similar features but with additional customization options. TrafficMonitor is designed to work seamlessly with the latest Windows versions, offering you a more modern interface and enhanced functionality. This tool also allows you to monitor your network speeds directly from the taskbar, providing detailed statistics on your data usage and performance.
This tutorial will guide you through the installation and configuration of both NetSpeedMonitor and TrafficMonitor on Windows 10 and 11. Whether you're looking to display your download and upload speeds, analyze long-term network statistics, or customize how your taskbar presents this information, these tools offer robust solutions. Let's explore how you can set up these monitors to ensure your internet speed is always visible and easy to track.
How to Install NetSpeedMonitor on Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Download Installer and adjust properties
After downloading the NetSpeedMonitor installer, right-click on the file and select “Properties”.
- Enable Compatibility Mode
In the Properties window, switch to the “Compatibility” tab. Check the box labeled “Run this program in compatibility mode for”.
- Select Previous Version of Windows
From the dropdown menu below, choose “Previous versions of Windows” and “Windows 7” or “Windows 8” to ensure smooth installation on your system. After that, you can run NetSpeedMonitor and use it as described below. You can create a desktop shortcut to access it easily in the future.
How to Use NetSpeedMonitor on Windows 11 or Windows 10
Once installed, NetSpeedMonitor provides real-time monitoring of your network traffic directly from the taskbar. Here's how to configure and use it effectively.
- View Network Traffic on Taskbar
After installation, NetSpeedMonitor will display your current upload and download speeds in kbit/s on the taskbar. The letter “U:” indicates your upload rate, and “D:” shows your download speed. Hovering over the display will reveal detailed statistics for the current session, as well as data from the past week and month.
- Access Configuration Settings
Right-click on the taskbar monitor and select “Configuration” to access NetSpeedMonitor's preferences.
- Choose Network Adapter and Format
In the “General” tab, you can select which network adapter to monitor and decide how you want the bandwidth format to be displayed on the taskbar.
- Customize Layout Settings
Navigate to the “Layout” tab to customize the font style and appearance of your traffic monitor.
- View Detailed Traffic Statistics
Right-click the taskbar monitor and select “Data traffic” to access detailed statistics for selected days, allowing you to analyze your network usage over time.
How to Use TrafficMonitor on Windows 11 or Windows 10
TrafficMonitor is another tool similar to NetSpeedMonitor that can be used for monitoring network speed and data traffic on your Windows taskbar. Follow these steps to install and configure TrafficMonitor.
- Download TrafficMonitor
First, download the TrafficMonitor application from a trusted source like Majorgeeks or the official GitHub repository.
- Extract the ZIP File
Right-click on the downloaded ZIP file and select “Extract All” to unpack the files.
- Choose a Destination Folder
Select the destination folder where you want to save the extracted files, then click “Extract“.
- Open the Folder
Navigate to the folder where you extracted the files and open it to find the TrafficMonitor executable.
- Run TrafficMonitor
Double-click on the TrafficMonitor executable file to start the application. You can create a desktop shortcut to access it easily in the future.
- Right-click to show more info
Once TrafficMonitor is running, right-click on the taskbar icon to access additional information and settings.
- Show the Taskbar Window
Right-click again to ensure that the taskbar window is visible, displaying your real-time network statistics.
- Uncheck “Show Main Window”
To minimize clutter, you can right-click and uncheck the “Show Main Window” option if you prefer only the taskbar display.
- Open Options Menu to Adjust Settings
Right-click the taskbar monitor and select “Options” to configure the application settings according to your preferences.
- Adjust TrafficMonitor Settings
In the Options menu, adjust settings such as network adapter selection, display preferences, and other customization options to tailor the monitoring tool to your needs.
By following these steps, you'll have either NetSpeedMonitor or TrafficMonitor set up on your Windows 10 or 11 system, giving you an easy way to monitor your internet speed directly from your taskbar.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Network Monitoring in Windows
How do I ensure NetSpeedMonitor starts automatically when I boot Windows 10 or 11?
To set NetSpeedMonitor to automatically run at startup, create a shortcut of the executable file. Place this shortcut in the “Startup” folder, which can be accessed by typing “shell:startup” in the Windows Run dialog box (press Win+R to open).
Can TrafficMonitor display Internet speed in Mbps?
Yes, TrafficMonitor can be set to display Internet speeds in megabits per second (Mbps). To configure this, right-click the taskbar icon, select “Options”, and then go to the display settings section where you can choose “Mbps” as the unit for speed measurement.
What should I do if TrafficMonitor does not show correct speed readings?
Ensure that TrafficMonitor is monitoring the correct network adapter. This can be checked in the “Options” menu under “General Settings”. If mismatches continue, try restarting the application or rebooting your computer to reset the network data collection.
How can I uninstall NetSpeedMonitor if it's no longer required?
To uninstall NetSpeedMonitor, open the Control Panel, go to “Programs and Features”, locate NetSpeedMonitor in the list, and click “Uninstall”. Follow any additional prompts to complete the removal process, ensuring that all components are fully removed.
Is it possible to use NetSpeedMonitor on multiple network adapters?
Yes, NetSpeedMonitor supports the monitoring of multiple network adapters simultaneously. To configure this, go to the “Configuration” settings by right-clicking the taskbar icon, and select the adapters you wish to monitor from the “Network Adapter” tab.
Can I hide the main window of TrafficMonitor while keeping the taskbar information visible?
To keep the taskbar display active while hiding TrafficMonitor's main window, right-click on the taskbar icon and uncheck the “Show Main Window” option. This will minimize the application to your taskbar while still updating the network speed readings.
What are the customization options available in TrafficMonitor?
TrafficMonitor allows extensive customization including changing the network adapter being monitored, modifying the display settings such as font size and color, and choosing what data to display. These options can be accessed by right-clicking on the taskbar icon and selecting “Options”.
How do I fix installation errors with NetSpeedMonitor on newer versions of Windows?
When facing installation errors with NetSpeedMonitor on newer Windows versions, ensure that you have set the compatibility mode correctly. Right-click the installer, choose “Properties”, go to the “Compatibility” tab, and set it to run in compatibility mode for Windows 7 or 8. Run as administrator by right-clicking the installer and choosing “Run as administrator”.
How can I monitor both uploaded and downloaded speeds using TrafficMonitor?
TrafficMonitor automatically displays both upload and download speeds when configured. To view these, ensure the taskbar widget is active. Adjustments can be made in the “Options” menu to customize which metrics are visible directly on your taskbar.
How do I update TrafficMonitor to the latest version?
Download the latest version of TrafficMonitor from its official GitHub repository or another trusted source. To update, simply replace the old executable and related files in your TrafficMonitor directory with the new versions. It's advisable to close the running application before updating.
What formats can I choose for displaying network speed in TrafficMonitor?
TrafficMonitor offers multiple formats for displaying speed, such as bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (kbps), and megabits per second (Mbps). These settings can be customized in the “Options” menu under the “Appearance” or “Display settings” section.
Can I configure NetSpeedMonitor to not display at certain times?
NetSpeedMonitor does not natively support scheduled visibility. However, you can manually disable the taskbar view or exit the application when it is not needed, and re-enable or restart it as required.
Is there a way to export the data collected by NetSpeedMonitor or TrafficMonitor?
TrafficMonitor allows for the export of traffic data to a file for further analysis. This feature can be accessed from the right-click menu by selecting “Data traffic”, where you'll find options to save the data to files.
Can I monitor network usage for specific applications using TrafficMonitor?
TrafficMonitor includes a feature to monitor network usage by specific applications. Access this by selecting “Detailed Statistics” from the right-click menu on the taskbar icon. It provides a breakdown of network usage per application.
How do I change the network adapter TrafficMonitor is monitoring?
To modify which network adapter TrafficMonitor is tracking, open the “Options” menu by right-clicking the taskbar icon. In the “General” tab, you can select from available network adapters to monitor. Choose the appropriate adapter, especially if you switch networks or experience issues with the current selection.
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Last Updated on August 28, 2024 4:57 pm CEST
