How to Display Your Internet Speed on the Windows Taskbar

Keeping track of your internet speed in real time can help you quickly spot issues like slowdowns, disconnections, or unusual bandwidth usage. While Windows doesn’t offer a built-in way to show your internet speed on the taskbar, you can easily do it with a third-party tool.

Here’s how to display your internet speed directly on your Windows taskbar using free and trusted apps.

Option 1: Use NetSpeedMonitor (Windows 7, 8, 10)

NetSpeedMonitor is a lightweight utility that shows your current upload and download speeds in the taskbar.

Step-by-step:

1. Download NetSpeedMonitor
   Go to a trusted source like Softpedia or the developer’s website.
2. Install in Compatibility Mode (for Windows 10/11)
   • Right-click the installer file > Properties.
   • Go to the Compatibility tab.
   • Check “Run this program in compatibility mode for”, and choose Windows 7.
   • Click OK, then run the installer.
3. Enable the Toolbar
   • After installation, right-click on the taskbar.
   • Go to Toolbars > NetSpeedMonitor to enable it.
4. Configure Settings
   • The first time it runs, choose your network adapter.
   • Click Save, and you’ll start seeing real-time download/upload speeds.

Option 2: Use TrafficMonitor (Open Source & More Customizable)

TrafficMonitor offers more features, including CPU usage, memory usage, and full customization of the display.

Setup:

1. Download TrafficMonitor
   Visit the official GitHub page: https://github.com/zhongyang219/TrafficMonitor
2. Extract and Run
   • It comes as a portable ZIP.
   • Extract the files and run TrafficMonitor.exe.
3. Dock It to the Taskbar
   • Right-click the widget > “Show Taskbar Window”.
   • This pins the internet speed readout to your taskbar.
4. Customize the Look
   • You can change font, color, language, and refresh rates.

Why Monitor Your Internet Speed?

• Spot slowdowns immediately
• Verify you’re getting the speeds you pay for
• Keep an eye on background bandwidth usage
• Useful for streamers and gamers

Final Tips

• Keep only one monitor running to avoid clutter.
• If you’re on a laptop, monitor battery impact with heavy widgets.
• Always download from reputable sources.

Wrap-Up

Displaying your internet speed on the Windows taskbar is easy with tools like NetSpeedMonitor or TrafficMonitor. It’s a simple upgrade that gives you real-time insight into your connection — without needing to open a browser or an app.

Got questions or a favorite tool you use? Share it in the comments below.