Resource Monitor Windows 10: 6 Ways to Open It

Resource Monitor in Windows 10 is a built-in tool that shows real-time data on CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. You can open it in at least six ways: through the Start menu, Task Manager, Run dialog, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the System Configuration tool. Below are the exact steps for each method, plus what the tool actually does and how to read its interface.

What Resource Monitor Does

Resource Monitor (resmon.exe) is a more detailed version of the Task Manager’s Performance tab. While Task Manager gives you a quick overview, Resource Monitor lets you expand each hardware category to see which specific processes are using it. For example, under the Disk section, you can see not just that your disk is at 80% usage, but exactly which program is reading or writing files, and at what speed.

The tool has five main tabs: Overview, CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network. The Overview tab shows a summary of all four at once. Each tab has a graph at the top and a detailed table below it. You can check boxes in the tables to filter the graphs to only show the processes you care about.

Method 1: Start Menu Search

The simplest way is to use the search box next to the Start button.

1. Click the search bar or press the Windows key.
2. Type Resource Monitor.
3. Click the top result, which is a desktop app named “Resource Monitor�.

If you prefer, you can also type resmon into the search box – it works the same way. This method works on all editions of Windows 10, including Home and Pro.

Method 2: From Task Manager

You can launch Resource Monitor directly from Task Manager, which is handy if you already have Task Manager open.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. If you see the compact view, click More details at the bottom.
3. Go to the Performance tab.
4. At the bottom, click Open Resource Monitor.

This button also appears in the bottom-right of the Performance tab in older Windows 10 versions. It is always the same link, regardless of which hardware section you are viewing.

Method 3: Run Dialog

The Run dialog is a fast way to launch any Windows tool if you know its executable name.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
2. Type resmon (or resmon.exe).
3. Press Enter or click OK.

This is often the quickest method for users who are comfortable with keyboard shortcuts. The command is case-insensitive, so you can type it in any case.

Method 4: Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you regularly use a command-line environment, you can start Resource Monitor from there.

• Open Command Prompt or PowerShell (you do not need administrator rights for this).
• Type resmon and press Enter.

The program will open in a new window. You can also use start resmon if you want the command to return immediately rather than waiting for the program to close.

Method 5: System Configuration (msconfig)

Another route is through the System Configuration tool, which some users already use to manage startup items.

1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Tools tab.
3. Scroll down to Resource Monitor.
4. Select it and click Launch.

This method is a bit longer, but it is useful if you are already in msconfig for other reasons, such as changing boot options.

Method 6: Create a Desktop Shortcut

If you use Resource Monitor frequently, you can place a permanent shortcut on your desktop or taskbar.

1. Right-click an empty area of your desktop.
2. Select New → Shortcut.
3. In the location field, type resmon.exe.
4. Click Next, name it “Resource Monitor�, and click Finish.

You can also pin the running program to the taskbar by right-clicking its icon in the taskbar while it is open and selecting Pin to taskbar.

How to Read the Data

The Overview tab is a good starting point. It shows four graphs at the top: CPU, Disk, Network, and Memory. Below each graph is a table listing processes that are using that resource. The key is to use the checkboxes.

For example, if your computer is slow, go to the CPU tab. Check the box next to a process you suspect is causing trouble. The graph will now only show that process’s usage. You can also right-click any process to End Process or Search Online for more information.

The Memory tab is often misunderstood. It shows “Hard Faults/sec,� which is not necessarily bad – it just means the system is swapping data between RAM and the page file. A high number can indicate you need more RAM, but it is not a failure by itself.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Resource Monitor itself uses a lot of CPU. It does use a small amount, typically under 1%, but it is negligible. If you see a process called “System� using high CPU, that is normal – it represents the kernel and drivers, not a virus.

Another issue is that the Network tab does not show per-process usage unless you have the Windows Filtering Platform enabled. If you see no data under “Network Activity,� it is likely because your network is idle or the process is a system service that does not report individually.

If you cannot open Resource Monitor at all, it may be because your Windows installation is corrupted. In that case, run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair system files. This is a general troubleshooting step and does not require any special tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Resource Monitor the same as Task Manager?

No. Task Manager gives a quick summary and lets you end processes. Resource Monitor goes deeper – it shows which files a process is reading, which network connections it has open, and which memory addresses it is using. For most users, Task Manager is enough, but Resource Monitor is useful for diagnosing specific performance problems.

Why can’t I see per-process network usage in Resource Monitor?

This happens when the network activity is very low or when the process is a system service that runs with elevated privileges. Try running Resource Monitor as administrator (right-click its shortcut and select “Run as administrator�). Also, make sure you are looking at the Network tab, not the Overview tab.

Does Resource Monitor work on Windows 11?

Yes, Resource Monitor is still included in Windows 11. All the methods above work the same way, except the Start menu search may show it as a “System tool� rather than a regular app. The executable is still resmon.exe.

How do I stop a process from Resource Monitor?

Right-click the process in any of the tables and select “End Process.� Be careful – ending a system process can cause instability. It is safer to end only user applications you recognize. For a more controlled shutdown, use the “Analyze Wait Chain� option to see if the process is waiting on another process.

Can I monitor another computer with Resource Monitor?

No. Resource Monitor only shows data for the local machine. For remote monitoring, you would need a third-party tool or Windows Performance Monitor (perfmon), which can collect data from remote computers if configured properly.

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