Gadgets in Windows 7 can do more than show the weather or news. Many gadgets are useful as system monitoring tools that keep track of Windows 7 resources like CPU,memory, hard drive and network usage.
Below are the best free Windows 7 gadgets that can be used to help keep track of system resources.
In a hurry? Take a quick tour of these Windows 7 gadgets to see which ones you like best.
Need Help? See How to Install a Windows Gadget.
Note: I tested most of these gadgets in Windows 7 but each should also work in Windows Vista.
1. CPU Meter Gadget
The CPU Meter Windows gadget for Windows 7 or Windows Vista displays two dials - one that tracks your system's CPU usage and another that tracks physical memory usage, both in percentage format.
This is a pretty basic Windows gadget in that there are no fancy options, but it does what it does well.
If you like to keep track of how much memory and CPU is being used at any given time, give the CPU Meter gadget a try.
2. DriveInfo Gadget
The DriveInfo Windows 7/Windows Vista gadget monitors the free space available on one or more of your PC's hard drives. It displays the free space in both GB and percentage. The DriveInfo gadget is very easy to configure and is an especially attractive addition to your other Windows gadgets.
The DriveInfo gadget is available as a free download from the Windows Live Gallery for your Windows Vista Sidebar or Windows 7 desktop.
If you frequently check the free space available on your hard drives, the DriveInfo gadget will definitely save you some time.
3. System Control A1 Gadget
The System Control A1 gadget is a fantastic resource monitor for Windows 7 or Windows Vista. It tracks CPU load and memory usage.
The System Control A1 gadget is freely available from the Windows Live Gallery.
The best thing about the System Control A1 gadget is that it supports up to 8 CPU cores, making it fully compatible with the latest multi-core CPUs. The interface is superb as well which helps balance out the fact that there are absolutely no user options.
4. Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor Gadget
The best thing about the Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget is that it looks cool. You can see available wireless network connections, verify wireless coverage, and lots more in a unique interface.
Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor packs a lot of useful information into a single gadget, maybe too much. For me, the Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget seems a bit "heavy" with the radar display running all the time and the huge Xirrus logo. Still, it's powerful gadget and you might find it really useful.
The Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget is a free download from the Windows Live Gallery.
5. System Monitor Gadget
The System Monitor gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista is an excellent multifunction monitor. System Monitor can track CPU usage (up to quad core) and RAM usage but also can display internal and external IP addresses, the current time, battery usage, and even has a wireless network monitor.
System Monitor is very well designed and has numerous options. Nearly every aspect of this gadget is configurable.
I highly recommend that you try the System Monitor gadget.
6. margu-NotebookInfo2 Gadget
The margu-NotebookInfo2 Windows gadget has a funny name but it's serious about packing a lot of system monitoring into a single gadget.
With the margu-NotebookInfo2 gadget, you can track system uptime, CPU and RAM use, wireless network strength, battery level, and much more.
margu-NotebookInfo2 is put together very well and should be an excellent addition to any Windows Vista or Windows 7 PC.
7. iPhone Battery Gadget
The iPhone Battery Windows 7/Windows Vista gadget has to be one of the coolest gadgets around. The battery indicator is an excellent knock-off of the glowing battery level indicator on the iPhone and looks great on a Windows desktop.
With the iPhone Battery gadget, you can also mimic an antique meter, a Duracell® battery, among other cool things.
The iPhone Battery gadget is free from the Windows Live Gallery and installs on your Windows Vista Sidebar or Windows 7 desktop.
If you're on a laptop or other portable Windows 7 or Windows Vista device, the iPhone Battery gadget should definitely help you keep a closer eye on your available power.
8. Wired Network Meter Gadget
The Wired Network Meter Windows 7/Windows Vista gadget provides all kinds of useful information about your wired network connection like current internal and external IP address, current upload and download speed, and total bandwidth usage.
There are several useful configurations available with Wired Network Meter including background color, bandwidth scaling, network interface card selection, and more.
The Wired Network Meter gadget is a free download from the Windows Live Gallery and installs on your Windows Vista Sidebar or on your Windows 7 desktop.
If you're troubleshooting a local network issue or are always checking your external IP, the Wired Network Meter gadget could be very useful.
9. Wireless Network Meter Gadget
The Wireless Network Meter Gadget is essentially the same as the Wired Network Meter Gadget above - they're obviously from the same developer.
The most obvious differences are the addition of the SSID, signal strength, and whether or not your wireless connection is secure.
The Wired Network Meter gadget is free from the Windows Live Gallery.
10. All CPU Meter Gadget
The All CPU Meter gadget keeps track of CPU usage and your used and available memory. What makes ALL CPU Meter stand out from the crowd is its support for as many as eight CPU cores!
There are only a few options but background color is one of them. That might seem like a small advantage, but if you're a regular user of Windows gadgets, you know that making it fit with your desktop scheme is an important factor.
I also like the quick 1 second update time and well designed graph in All CPU Meter.
The All CPU Meter gadget is available for free from the Windows Live Gallery for your Windows 7 desktop or Windows Vista Sidebar.
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