How to show hidden performance overlays in Windows 11

In this tutorial, we will help you reveal hidden performance overlays in Windows 11. Using Windows 11’s Performance Overlay feature, you’ll be able to monitor your system resources in real time. You can view real-time CPU usage, disk usage, GPU usage, RAM usage, etc. on your computer screen. This is convenient when you are playing games or using large graphics programs (such as video editors) and need to check how much system performance is affected when using a specific program.

While there are some excellent free software available for monitoring system performance, and some built-in tools like Resource Monitor can be used to check system performance, the performance overlay feature also has its advantages. For example, you don't need to leave the program or app you're currently using, and you don't need to repeatedly monitor system performance. You can continue using the application and immediately see how your PC is performing.

How to show hidden performance overlays in Windows 11

There are two different native ways you can show hidden performance overlays on your Windows 11 PC. these are:

Use the Game Bar to show hidden performance overlays

Use Task Manager to show hidden performance overlays.

1] Use Game Bar to show hidden performance overlays

In Windows 11, the Game Bar (formerly Xbox Game Bar) feature provides a variety of useful functions, such as taking screenshots, starting video recording while gaming, and viewing real-time system performance. In addition to monitoring CPU, RAM and GPU usage, it can also display in-game FPS and VRAM usage, which makes this feature even more powerful and useful. Through Game Bar, players can more easily monitor game performance and make necessary adjustments for a smoother, smoother gaming experience.

Before you start using this feature, you need to make sure you have the Game Bar feature enabled or turned on. To do this, open the Settings app (Win i), then navigate to Game Bar and enable the Allow controller to open Game Bar option. Once you complete these steps, here's how you can use Game Bar to show hidden performance overlays.

Press the Win G hotkey. This will activate the Game Bar feature and its home bar will be visible on your desktop screen

Click the performance widget icon in the home bar

A performance overlay or box will open where you will see CPU, GPU and other options. Selecting an option will display its real-time usage and provide a chart or graph

Click the performance options icon in the box to customize. You can now choose graphic position (right, bottom, or left), accent color, and tint (CPU, VRAM, FPS, etc.). View

in Performance Overlay

After setting the options, return to the performance overlay box

Click the Pin icon and the performance overlay will remain at the top of the desktop screen, covering other applications to view system performance. If desired, you can also hide or collapse the chart to make the performance overlay compact.

To exit the performance overlay, press the Win G hotkey, select the performance overlay's unlock icon, and close it.

Read: How to Run Computer Performance Benchmarks on a Windows PC

2] Use Task Manager to show hidden performance overlays

Windows 11 Task Manager is another option to show hidden performance overlays on your computer. You can use it to view real-time CPU usage, network or Wi-Fi usage, disk usage, memory (or RAM) and GPU usage, and graphs. For each indicator, it shows additional details or information. For example, for memory, it shows total memory in use, available memory, cached memory, paged pool, non-paged pool, memory speed, etc.

Right-click the button and click Task Manager option, or press Ctrl Shift Ec hotkey to open Task Manager

Select the Performance tab

Click on any available metric and you'll see charts and information related to that specific metric on Task Manager. If you want to see a summary or real-time usage of all metrics in the Performance Overlay, you can right-click on any of the available options and select the Summary View option

Now, to display the performance overlay, click on the Settings option in the lower left corner of Task Manager

Under the "General" section, expand the "Window Management" menu

Select the Always on top option

The Task Manager window will immediately close and reopen. Now select the Performance tab again

Resize the Task Manager window as needed and place it anywhere on your desktop screen.

Now you can monitor performance metrics and continue using other programs. To undo the changes, access Task Manager's Settings options in the Performance overlay and uncheck the Always on top option. You can then close Task Manager.

Tip: You can also place your mouse cursor over Task Manager's system tray icon to view real-time CPU, network, GPU, and memory usage while Task Manager is open or running.

Hope this helps.

How to open the performance tab in Windows 11?

If you want to open the Performance tab in Task Manager on your Windows 11 PC, use the navigation section on the left. There, select the "Performance" tab available under the "Processes" menu or tabs. And if you want to open the Performance Monitor tool in Windows 11, you can use the search box or type perfmon in the run command box and press Enter.

How to monitor PC performance while gaming?

There are some of the best free game monitoring software for Windows PC that you can use to monitor your PC performance while gaming. Some good examples of these tools are MSI Afterburner, NVIDIA GeForce Experience Performance Monitoring, GPU-Z, HWMonitor, etc. You can also use Windows 11’s Game Bar Performance Monitor overlay feature to monitor system performance.

Read next: How to use Performance Monitor in Windows PC.

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