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Performance Monitor
Windows 7's version of Performance Monitor uses line graphs to track system performance as with other versions. It also provides additional resources to help you see what's happening in your system.
When you open Performance Monitor, it displays an overview with a link to Resource Monitor (for real-time information) and directions on how to start monitoring performance (Figure 7).
The System Summary pane below the overview provides information about memory, network interface, physical disk, and processor usage.
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Figure 7 Starting Performance Monitor
Click the Performance Monitor link shown in Figure 7 to open the familiar Performance Monitor graph. By default, Windows 7 graphs % Processor Time.
To add additional counters, click the green plus (+) icon and select counters from the Add Counters window. Use Ctrl-Click or Shift-Click to select multiple counters; then click Add to add the selected counters.
Click OK to return to Performance Monitor and see your graph (Figure 8). To remove a counter, clear the checkbox next to the counter.
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Figure 8 Graphing system performance factors with Performance Monitor
Performance Monitor also provides a convenient way to view system diagnostics. Open Reports>System>System Diagnostics to see the most recent diagnostics report (Figure 9).
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Figure 9 A portion of the System Diagnostic report
By default, System Diagnostic expands the Diagnostic Results sections (Warnings, Informational, Basic System Checks) and Performance section to provide a quick read of system condition.
Other sections (Software Configuration, Hardware Configuration, CPU, Network, Disk, Memory, and Report Statistics) can be expanded as desired.