Not everyone is lucky to have a high-speed or stable internet connection. Some of us still have to go through internet woes every day where sometimes the internet stops working or speed drops drastically. One wonders whether it’s an app or network issue. Fortunately, you can use a network speed monitor to identify the issue.
These tools show the current upload and download speed of your network in real-time. Thanks to them, you can quickly know when the speed drops. I have been using Internet Speed Meter on my Android phone for a while, and now I’m so used to it that working on a PC without monitoring internet speed seems odd.
While Windows comes with a native bandwidth monitoring tool, it doesn’t offer a tool to monitor internet speed. If you are wondering how to check the internet speed on your laptop taskbar, you have come to the right place. Let’s get started.
Download Internet Speed Meter for Windows for Real-Time Monitoring
To show internet speed in the taskbar on Windows, you will have to download a dedicated app known as NetSpeedMonitor.
The app was primarily designed to run on Windows Vista, XP, and 7. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t work on Windows 8 and above. For that, you must run the installer in Compatibility mode. Don’t worry. We have mentioned the steps in detail. Follow along.
Step 1: Download NetSpeedMonitor using the link below.
Note: You will get two download options: x86 and x64. The first one is for 32-bit Windows systems and the second one is for 64-bit. Click on the desired option and save the file on your computer.
Step 2: Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the file.
If you are running Windows version below Windows 8, installation should start normally. Anything above it will throw an error that the operating system isn’t supported. Don’t worry. It’s time to tweak certain things.
Step 3: Right-click on the setup file and go to Properties.
Step 3: Under Properties, click on the Compatibility tab. Here, check the box next to ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for:’. The drop-down should show ‘Previous version of Windows.’
Step 4: Click on Apply followed by OK to save the changes.
Step 5: Now, double-click the setup file to begin the installation and follow the on-screen instructions during the installation process.
Once installed, you will have to enable the program.
Step 6: Right-click anywhere on your taskbar and hit the Toolbars option. Here select NetSpeedMonitor.
As soon as you enable it, you will see the upload and download speed on the taskbar.
Why Is NetSpeedMonitor Not Working
In case the visible download speeds are stuck at zero, here’s how to fix it.
Step 1: Right-click the network speed monitor in the taskbar and select Configuration.
Step 2: In the NetSpeedMonitor window, change the Network interface to a different one and click OK.
The meter should be working now. If it’s still not working, repeat the process with other interfaces to find the one that works.
Tips and Tricks for Network Speed Monitor on Windows
Here are some useful tips and tricks to make the best use of the internet speed monitoring tool on your Windows computer.
1. Change the Speed Unit
By default, the NetSpeedMonitor tool shows speed in kilobits/second (Kbit/s), which might look a bit weird for normal usage. To make it readable, we suggest changing it to kilobytes/second (KB/s), Megabits/second (Mbit/s), or any other metric that you like.
Fun Fact: The Internet and download speed are two different things.
To change the speed metric, right-click on the NetSpeedMonitor on the taskbar and select Configuration. Choose the speed unit from the drop-down menu next to Bitrate.
2. View Data Usage
The NetSpeedMonitor tool not only shows the current internet speed but you can also use it to track your data usage. For that, right-click the NetSpeedMonitor meter on the taskbar and hit Data Traffic.
3. Change the Double Click Action
Double-clicking the NetSpeedMonitor tool on the taskbar is used to enable and disable the monitoring, by default. However, you can customize it and use it for an action of your choice. We have set it to open the data traffic window.
To change it, right-click the NetSpeedMonitor meter on the taskbar, go to Configuration, and choose the appropriate option for Double Click.
4. Customize Tool Font
If you like tinkering with fonts, the app lets you customize the font style and size. For that, right-click the NetSpeedMonitor meter on the taskbar > go to Configuration > Layout. Here, change the font.
Further, you can also customize the initials shown for upload and download speed in Layout.
5. Export Database
Since the tool records everyday data usage, you can export its database too. This is handy if you wish to get an overview of your data usage or speed patterns. To do so, right-click the NetSpeedMonitor meter on the taskbar > go to Configuration > Database > Export Wizard.
FAQs for Displaying Internet Speed on Taskbar in Windows
Yes, the NetSpeedMonitor app displays your network speed in real-time by connecting to the internet. Hence, it is reliable and accurate.
Windows gives you the ability to check internet speeds using the command prompt. Launch a cmd window and enter “ping google.com”. You should be able to see the network speed listed.
Need for Speed
With the help of a network speed monitor on Windows, you can keep an eye on the internet speed and even the amount of data used. While some of you may dislike the idea of having a constant speed meter on the taskbar, there are many folks who’ll appreciate it.
In case you’re looking for an elaborate demo, here’s a video tutorial of the same solution from our Guiding Tech YouTube Channel:
We wish Microsoft introduces a native tool to view internet speed just as some Android phones have nowadays. Maybe in future versions of Windows? We can only wait and watch!
Was this helpful?
Last updated on 14 September, 2023
Read Next
5 Best Internet Speed Meter Apps for Windows 10 PC
Typically, when we want to check our internet speed, we do it using a speed test website.
Top 10 Ways to Fix Slow Internet Speed on Windows 11
A high-speed internet connection is now more of a necessity than a luxury.
Speedtest vs Fast: In-Depth Comparison of Two Internet Speed Test Providers
The present decade has seen data rates going down, with increased penetration of the internet.
How to Show Internet Speed on Status Bar in Samsung Phones
The internet is such an integral part of our daily lives that we often feel restless if it stops working for a minute.
How to Get Windows 11-like Taskbar in Windows 10
The improved Taskbar design must've impressed you if you have caught a glimpse of the new Windows 11.
How to Speed up Thumbnail Loading in Windows 10
Haven’t we all gone through the experience where you sat down to show your recent vacation pictures to your friends, and just as you click on the folder the thumbnails
4 Ways to Fix Slow Download Speed in Microsoft Edge for Windows
Basic Yet Essential Fixes Check internet speed: If your internet speed is slow or bandwidth is less, all downloads will get slow.
How to Increase Downloading Speed in Xbox App for Windows 11
The Xbox app is excellent for downloading games on Windows 11, but it isn't perfect.
The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.
