Yet, Resource Monitor is a somewhat overlooked tool. It’s not exactly hidden in Windows 11, and there are numerous ways you can open that utility. Here are 10 ways you can open Resource Monitor in Windows 11.

1. How to Open Resource Monitor With Run

You can open many pre-installed Windows tools with the Run dialog. Resource Monitor isn’t an exception, but you need to enter its file name in Run’s Open box to launch it. This is how you can open Resource Monitor with Run:

To bring up Run’s Open box, hold the Windows button and press R. Type resmon. exe in the Open command box. Click OK to open and view Resource Monitor.

2. How to Open Resource Monitor With the Search Tool

Windows 11’s search tool is like a more flexible Run accessory. You can open third-party software and Windows utilities with that tool by entering their actual titles in its text box. Some users prefer to open things with the search box because it’s more flexible. These are the steps for opening Resource Monitor with that utility:

Like Run, the search box has a hotkey that opens it. Press Win + S to quickly access the Type here to search box. Enter Resource Monitor in the Type here to search box. Then select Resource Monitor to view its window.

3. How to Open Resource Monitor With the Start Menu

Resource Monitor isn’t among the apps pinned to the front of the Start menu by default. However, its Windows Tools folder is still accessible on the Start menu. You can open the Windows Tools folder and then Resource Monitor from the Start menu like this:

Click Start and select the menu’s All apps option. Scroll down the menu to reach the Windows Tools folder. Double-click Windows Tools to view its contents. Then double-click Resource Monitor in Windows Tools to open it.

4. How to Open Resource Monitor With the System Configuration Utility

System Configuration (also known as MSConfig) is a tool with which you can change boot (startup) settings. That utility also incorporates a Tools tab from which you can open Resource Monitor. To do so, follow these quick steps:

Open the Run command window. Input the msconfig command into Run’s Open box. Press Run’s OK button to view the System Configuration window. Click Tools in System Configuration. Select Resource Monitor on that tab, and press the Launch button.

5. How to Open Resource Monitor With Task Manager

There are two ways to open Resource Monitor with Task Manager. You can launch that utility with Task Manager’s Create a new task tool. Yet, Task Manager also includes a direct shortcut link with which you can open Resource Monitor as follows:

To open Task Manager, press the Ctrl + Shift + E key combination. Select the Performance tab, which displays basic resource info. Click the Open Resource Manager navigation link on the Performance tab.

6. How to Open Resource Monitor With Windows Terminal

Some users who often utilize PowerShell or Command Prompt may prefer to open Resource Monitor from Windows Terminal. Windows Terminal runs both the PowerShell and Command Prompt command-line apps. You can enter and execute a command for opening Resource Monitor in both apps like this:

Open the terminal emulator app via a method in our guide on opening the Windows Terminal. Click the arrow button on the tab bar. Select Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell on the menu. Input resmon in the selected tab and press Enter.

7. How to Open Resource Monitor With Cortana

Cortana is a handy Windows assistant with which you can open system tools and third-party apps. You can launch apps by inputting simple open commands in the Ask Cortana box with the keyboard or vocally via microphone. This is how you can bring up Resource Monitor with Windows 11’s virtual assistant:

Click Cortana’s circle button on the taskbar. Input open Resource Monitor in the Ask Cortana box. Press the Return keyboard button to bring up Resource Monitor. To open Resource Monitor with a voice command, click the Speak to Cortana button. Then say “open Resource Monitor” reasonably clearly.

8. How to Open Resource Monitor With a Desktop Shortcut

You can create new, more direct ways to open Resource Monitor by setting up shortcuts for it. Windows 11 has a Create Shortcut wizard with which you can add tools and third-party software to the desktop area. You can set up a shortcut for opening Resource Monitor with that wizard as follows:

First, right-click an empty area of your desktop’s wallpaper to select New. Select Shortcut to bring up the wizard. Input resmon in the location box, and click the Create Shortcut wizard’s Next button. Enter Resource Monitor in the Type a name box. Click Finish to add Resource Monitor to the desktop. Now double-click Resource Monitor’s desktop shortcut to open that tool.

9. How to Open Resource Monitor With a Taskbar Shortcut

Although a smaller area, the taskbar is a slightly better location for shortcuts than the desktop because it overlaps open windows. You can add a Resource Monitor shortcut there from the search tool. Input Resource Monitor in Windows 11’s search box as outlined for method two. Click the Pin to taskbar option on the right side of the search utility. Then you can click the Resource Monitor’s taskbar icon to open that tool.

10. How to Open Resource Monitor With the Context Menu

The right-click context menu doesn’t include a Resource Monitor option by default. However, you can add a shortcut for opening Resource Monitor to the desktop’s context menu by modifying the registry. To do that, edit the registry like this:

Open Run, type regedit in there, and click OK. Then go to this key by entering its path in the Registry Editor’s address bar: Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\Shell\ Right-click shell in the Registry Editor’s left sidebar and select the New submenu. Click the Key context menu option. Type Resource Monitor in the text box for the new key. Right-click the Resource Monitor key to select New. Select Key again. Type command inside the name text box for the subkey. Double-click the new command key’s (Default) string. Input this path in the Value box: “C:\Windows\System32\resmon. exe” Select the Edit String window’s OK button to apply.

Now open Resource Monitor from the context menu by right-clicking somewhere on the desktop to select Show more options. You’ll see a Resource Monitor option on Windows 11’s secondary classic menu. Click Resource Monitor there to open that tool’s window.

If you have second thoughts about keeping that option, you can remove the shortcut by deleting its registry key. Go to the Resource Monitor key you added in Registry Editor. Right-click Resource Monitor, select its Delete option and click Yes on a confirmation prompt.

Open and Discover the Resource Monitor

Discover Windows 11’s Resource Monitor by opening it with any of those methods. Whatever way you open it, you’ll discover a utility that enables you to monitor system resource usage more closely and optimize PC performance. You can utilize Resource Monitor to free up RAM, terminate bandwidth-hogging processes, stop and start services, and minimize CPU usage. It’s a valuable tool in more ways than one.