Microsoft introduces Windows 11 widgets for monitoring your CPU, GPU, RAM, and more

[midian182]

In brief: There are plenty of ways to monitor system resources in Windows 11, not least the slew of third-party apps that are available, but Microsoft has introduced another method: widgets that provide real-time information on a PC, which can be enabled by downloading an app from the Microsoft Store.

The widgets are part of the new Dev Home app that Microsoft introduced at the recent Build 2023 conference. Designed for developers to keep track of all their workflows and coding tasks and connect to dev accounts, it offers a customizable dashboard with a number of widgets, including ones that show CPU, GPU, RAM, and network usage.

You can try out the Dev Build now with a preview version that is available to download from the Microsoft Store. Once you've installed the app, press the Windows key and W to open Windows Widgets and see the list of new widgets which can be added to the board.

You can also click 'Dashboard' in the top left corner of the app itself, then '+Add widget'. From here, you can pin which widgets you want onto the dashboard.

Some of the widgets do more than just show information. The CPU section allows you to end processes that might be using a lot of system resources. The network widget lets you move through different networks, showing Wi-Fi and ethernet connections, and if you happen to have more than one GPU, that widget can show each one.

The Dev Home app and its widgets are still in preview, so expect some bugs and glitches – freezing seems to be a common issue. But it appears to work fine after the initial setup.

There are plenty of other ways to see system information beyond third-party apps, including the Game Bar and Windows Task Manager. But viewing them quickly using the Windows Widgets shortcut is quick and easy, and it's nice to have something more than news feeds on the board, though Microsoft has confirmed users will be able to disable these later this year.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/98903-microsoft-introduces-windows-11-widgets-monitoring-cpu-gpu.html

 

[LetTheWookieWin]

Not sure I see the point of these widgets when the monitoring functionality is already available in task manager.

 

[maxxcool7421]

Wth ... were back to windows VISTA widgets !?

 

[winjer]

More bloatware...

 

[kira setsu]

The cpu monitor in windows 11 has never worked though? did they fix that or just push out some widgets that'll just show your usage at 0% like its been doing?

 

[hahahanoobs]

Dev Home is a control center providing the ability to track all of your workflows and coding tasks in one place. It features a streamlined setup tool that enables you to install apps and packages in a centralized location, extensions that allow you to connect to your developer accounts (such as GitHub), and a customizable dashboard with a variety of developer-focused widgets, to give you the information you need right at your fingertips.

Relax. Widgets are just the focus because that's about all non-developers would be interested in.

 

[axiomatic13]

Windows needs an actual dedicated gaming mode to do away with these memory eaters during play. I would actually like to use the widgets when not in-game, so I'm not hating on widgets. But during play, these things need to free up their resources.

 

[Julnor]

I guess we don't need HWInfo anymore.

 

[Gezzer]

Windows needs an actual dedicated gaming mode to do away with these memory eaters during play. I would actually like to use the widgets when not in-game, so I'm not hating on widgets. But during play, these things need to free up their resources.

For me a lot would depend on how resource intense they are.
Techspot did a test to see how much things like Twitch and/or Discord effected a person's gaming experience. It was more geared towards showing if there was a need for a lot of cores for that sort of usage. They pretty much showed that these secondary programs have little effect, due to how good Windows has become at juggling resources.
Now I'm not saying I wouldn't love an ability to reboot Windows in a game mode that would remove everything not game related. But how much extra performance something like that would give a user? No idea.

 

[axiomatic13]

For me a lot would depend on how resource intense they are.
Techspot did a test to see how much things like Twitch and/or Discord effected a person's gaming experience. It was more geared towards showing if there was a need for a lot of cores for that sort of usage. They pretty much showed that these secondary programs have little effect, due to how good Windows has become at juggling resources.
Now I'm not saying I wouldn't love an ability to reboot Windows in a game mode that would remove everything not game related. But how much extra performance something like that would give a user? No idea.

Those with beefy system specs would see little gain. But the less expensive systems would see big gains. Should be a no-brainer for MS to gain some street cred with gamers. A $47.48 billion dollar industry in 2022 this would be a great way to give back.

 

[tipstir]

I've seen them I just don't use it..