Always show windows CPU monitor graphic in taskbar

I would like to always show the windows CPU usage graphic in the taskbar near the system clock as it does when the task manager is open. Is there a way to make it always show with no more intervention (such as opening task manager each time I start up)?

Also, any recommended CPU monitors that show just a nice little graphic in the taskbar of the currenct usage?

Solution 1:

you can start your pc up with task manager running minimized

1. Right click your desktop and select New then shortcut
2. Type in taskmgr and hit enter
3. Hit enter again
4. Right click the new shortcut and go to properties
5. In the Run dropdown select "Minimized"
6. Click Start and All Programs
7. Find Startup and right click the folder and select Open
8. Drag the new shortcut into that folder

Now the taskmanager will always run - minimized - when the computer boots.

Solution 2:

I have three programs for you. All of them are free:

1. XMeters

Taskbar appearance:

Setting:

So far I'm satisfied with this program.

2. RAM CPU (+DISK) Taskbar

It turns your taskbar into a dynamic color-changing resource meter.

3. CleanMem Mini Monitor

This one actually display a floating panel and an icon in the notification area rather than in taskbar. It also has more settings than the two above.

Solution 3:

The @Keltari solution looks good, but the 'Task Manager' icon is still displayed in the taskbar. Therefore, a better solution is to start TaskManager using a vbs script with a hidden parameter.

This is how you can do it:

1. Ctr+R and type "shell:startup", this will open the default user folder to start programs at startup
2. Create a file called "task_manager.vbs"
3. Edit the file and paste the code below:

Set objShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

objShell.Run "taskmgr", 0, false

4. Save it and that's it. You can test it by double clicking the file.

You can see there is no TaskManager icon in taskbar :)