NetSpeedMonitor, a free tool, enhances network speed monitoring by displaying real-time upload and download speeds directly in the Windows 10 taskbar. This lightweight application is particularly useful for troubleshooting slow internet connections, managing limited data plans, and identifying bandwidth-heavy applications.
Installation and Compatibility
While the original NetSpeedMonitor is outdated, users can find modified versions compatible with Windows 10 64-bit through reputable sources or forums. It's crucial to scan downloads with antivirus software to ensure safety. Installation involves extracting the ZIP file, running the installer as an administrator, or using compatibility mode for older Windows versions if necessary. Users must select the correct network adapter during setup.
Configuration and Usage
Once installed, users can configure NetSpeedMonitor by enabling the toolbar entry and right-clicking the icon to adjust settings. Options include choosing units (KB/s, MB/s), setting update intervals, and customizing font and colors. Advanced users can log network traffic to a file. To optimize performance, increasing the update interval can reduce CPU usage.
Alternatives and Recommendations
If compatibility issues arise, alternatives such as DU Meter, NetWorx, GlassWire, and Windows Resource Monitor are available. These tools offer similar functionalities for monitoring network performance on Windows 10 systems.
