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Seeing that CPU is working

Vagulus 80 Reputation points
2026-05-21T07:00:07.2833333+00:00

I used to have a vertical progressbar thingy on my taskbar which let me know how hard my CPU was working.
I liked having it there because I could see if the CPU was active or just sloping off for a snooze and hoping I wouldn't notice.
I have just installed the latest version of W11.
Can I get that vertical bar thingy back?

Thanks

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Task Bar
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  1. Vagulus 80 Reputation points
    2026-05-22T01:59:21.4333333+00:00

    That CPU monitor thing I am after appeared in my taskbar last night. It did! Now you see it

    It was there. In between the caret and the cloud! See!
    And, it worked. When I opened Word (and the CPU had something to do) a blue bar rose and fell from the bottom of the icon - just like old times.
    And, I wasn't smoking anything! Like Bill Clinton, I did not inhale!

    So, after using SnagIt to get the image above I decided to get a video of it working but when I went to look the icon had goneNow it's changed

    The icon had changed. So, I photographed that and then, when I looked again even that icon had disappeared

    Now you don't

    Now, in the cold sober light of morning I ask, "What is going on?"

    Can someone explain this computer behaviour?

    Thanks

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  2. DaveM121 891.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-21T07:33:57.1066667+00:00

    Windows has never had a vertical CPU monitoring widget on the taskbar, that functionality is always provided by a 3rd party utility installed by either the PC manufacturer or a setting on the graphics card control panel.

    If you are unable to find the original utility you previously used, open the Microsoft Store app and perform a search for 'CPU Monitor' and you will find many free CPU monitoring widgets and apps.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-05-21T07:00:18.18+00:00

    Windows 11 does not include a built‑in vertical CPU‑usage bar on the taskbar, and current taskbar customization options only cover alignment, pinned apps, system tray icons, and behaviors such as badges and flashing. The classic vertical CPU meter that appeared directly on the taskbar is not available as a native feature in the latest Windows 11 release.

    To monitor CPU activity in Windows 11, use alternatives such as:

    1. Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → Performance tab → CPU.
    2. Third‑party monitoring tools that can show CPU usage in a window or overlay (these will not integrate as a vertical bar inside the taskbar itself in the same way as older gadgets or toolbars).

    The taskbar can be customized for alignment and behaviors, but not extended with a built‑in CPU meter like the one described.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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