NetSpeedMonitor

Ever wondered how fast your internet is actually running? NetSpeedMonitor is a free, lightweight tool that lets you keep an eye on your network speed right from your Windows taskbar. It shows real time download and upload rates so you can instantly see if your connection is performing as it should or if something’s slowing it down.

Originally made for older Windows versions like XP and Vista, NetSpeedMonitor still works great on newer systems like Windows 10 and 11 you just need to tweak a compatibility setting during installation. Don’t worry, it’s safe, ad free, and doesn’t collect your personal data. Plus, it won’t hog your system resources since it’s super light on RAM and CPU.

Installing it is straightforward, even though it wasn’t designed for the latest Windows versions. After downloading, if you get a message saying your OS isn’t supported, just right click the installer, go to Properties > Compatibility, and choose “Run this program in compatibility mode for a previous version of Windows.” Hit Apply, run the setup again, and you’re good to go. You can even support the developer with a PayPal donation during installation if you want.

Once installed, NetSpeedMonitor sits quietly in your system tray. You’ll see two numbers: “D” for download speed and “U” for upload speed. Hover over it, and a small pop up gives more details. Right clicking lets you customize everything from how the numbers look (font, size, color) to which network adapter you’re monitoring. You can even switch between units like kbit/s or MB/s depending on what you prefer.

If you’re looking for alternatives, apps like Du Meter and NetWorx also offer bandwidth monitoring. NetWorx, for example, includes a cool mini graph so you can visually track usage over time. But if you want something minimal, reliable, and straight to the point, NetSpeedMonitor remains a solid choice even if it’s no longer being updated.

Despite its age, NetSpeedMonitor has found a second life among Windows 10 and Windows 11 users who appreciate its simplicity. It may not have all the bells and whistles of newer apps, but it does one thing really well: it tells you your internet speed, clearly and constantly, without getting in your way.