How to check the GPU Temperature in Windows 11
When you play games on your computer, or run a resource intensive task like a virtual machine or a video editor, you may notice something, or more likely hear a noise. Your system's fans may start spinning like crazy, that's perfectly normal.
It is not a problem, this is the way PCs handle the change in the thermal levels. The fans help control the flow of air in the computer, to prevent the graphics card and processor from overheating, which in turn prevents performance throttling.
How to check the GPU Temperature in Windows 11
But if you are worried about the computer, and want to monitor the system's performance in Windows 11, there is a very simple way to do it. The best part is that you don't need a third-party tool for this job. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Escape keys together, and the Task Manager should pop up. Windows 10 users may be aware of this basic functionality in the operating system. Switch to the performance tab, and click on the GPU option on the sidebar. The right pane of the Task Manager will change to display some graphs, that indicate the recent performance level of the graphics card.
Note: If you have a dedicated graphics card installed, you will need to select the appropriate GPU from the sidebar.
The section at the bottom shows some readings, these indicate the resource usage of the GPU, including the GPU temperature, memory utilization, driver version, etc. That's all you really need to keep an eye on your graphics card.
The GPU's temperature will rise when you play games, watch videos, etc. It's nothing to worry about, that's what is designed for. However, if you find the temperature levels are higher than what they normally are in other games, check your computer's vents and fans for dust. Reducing the graphics settings in games, and closing programs that are running in the background can also help you keep the thermal conditions in check, and may even give you a minor FPS boost. If nothing helps, you may want to look up whether it is the game or graphics driver that may be causing the issue. Games which are poorly coded or have some sort of DRM can be taxing on the CPU and the GPU.
The Windows 11 Task Manager provides a decent way to monitor your computer's hardware, but it is kind of basic. If you need something extra, you can use third-party programs for the task. My recommendation is to use Open Hardware Monitor, it is an open-source tool that comes in a portable archive. You may also try other options such as NZXT CAM, Libre Hardware Monitor, MSI Afterburner, HWMonitor, or Sidebar Diagnostics.
A word of warning, I have never had a good experience with MSI Afterburner. Even without overclocking or undervolting or other shenanigans of the sort, I have had crashes and bluescreens occur on my desktop. As strange as it may sound, these issues disappeared after I stopped using the program. You may have a completely different experience with it, but if you should run into issues, try removing the application to see if it helps fix the problem.
I think it would be cool if Windows 11 displayed the GPU and CPU temperature in the Game Bar widget. If the Task Manager can do it, surely the widget can do the same? What do you use to monitor your GPU and CPU temperature?
There is not still W11 23H2 and these instructions are nonsense by now. :[
It worked for me just fine. You’re probably not following the instructions clearly.
Just tried the password option and the OOBE option and didnt work.
Worked perfectly. Thank OP.
Worked perfectly for me just now. Specifically, the regedit option.
Is this cut and paste from a Microsoft PR paper, because it 1000% BS:
“By listening to user insights, Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to refining the Windows experience based on real-world needs.”
Windows 11 is proof they don’t give a s*it.
Worked for me just now
I agree! Windows 11 was a downgrade to me and I kept all 8 computers in our family on Windows 10 as a result. They didn’t listen to any customers. The taskbar was THE main reason I stayed away from Windows 11. With 6 monitors, it is impossible to navigate so many browser tabs, without the feature. I will try the new version in the virtual box to see if it is worth it yet.
Microsoft did a terrible job with this implementation.
They simply need to employ the creator of StartAllBack to fix Windows. He is smarter and more talented than the entire campus of Microsoft employees.
lol
Thank you so much! I work in IT and this is extremely useful information!
Thanks man. The second method worked great!
I used the second method, and i got exactly what i expected.
Using the Bypass 2: Use a banned email address email worked fantastically as I had gone to far to use the bypass 1.
I will be back when I next have a problem.
Keep you the great work
W11 File Explorer is the worst crap ever done. W11 is the biggest shame ever.
Just one more reason for me to go to Linux when Windows 10 ages out.
@ MarineRecon,
Be careful which Linux distro you choose. Some of them don’t include the Wayland protocol which is a security issue i.e. apps can copy, paste and inject data without user interaction.
It’s included in Fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/system-administrators-guide/Wayland/
How about a DARK MODE for your website? That would be oh so nice.
Something like this : [https://img.justpaste.me/image/8617] maybe?
Done with ‘Dark Reader Extension for ? Firefox’ [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/darkreader/]
This comment was written on [https://www.ghacks.net/windows-11-installation-has-failed-how-to-fix-this-upgrade-error/#comment-4573155}
Definitely NOT! Once you get older and your eyesight starts to fail you’ll positively loathe dark mode.
Not sure what eye problems *you’re* having, but for me the exact opposite is true. Dark Mode is MUCH easier on my Eyes.
BTW- I’m 52, and have worked in IT all my life. Been staring at monitors for hours each day, most days of the week since the late 1980’s.
Microsoft completely ruined File Explorer by converting to XAML/WinUI/whatever new bloated modern garbage. Its worse than it ever was.
i tested it on win10 current edition. speeds up explorer like a charm
SO what is the priority numbers to give preference to ethernet over wireless?
Worked very well happy to have Windows Photo Viewer back in action in Windows-11
Worked for me (registry option) thank god, I can use the search option to find things on my computer again. Thank you so much!
Install Everything Search and dispense with Microsoft’s crappy search tool. https://www.voidtools.com/
Martin wrote an article on it: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/09/add-everything-search-to-the-windows-taskbar-for-even-faster-searches/
I presume the text “WindowsCopilot,,” is a typographical error (2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/). The broken comment system unfortunately looks like it is populating itself via AI autopilot.
Hopefully, this Windows Copilot nonsense fails even more spectacularly than Cortana. Who requested this? We want all of the UX features removed back in 11, not this copilot nonsense.
I really don’t mind all of these Windows enhancement but Microsoft get one thing very wrong. ‘Opt in’, is far better than seek information and work to disable.
Turn off Windows Copilot entirely is not good enough.
How to uninstall Copilot entirely ?
@ ilev,
Use Gpedit or the registry. Explained in this article: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/
With that snake oil salesman Panos gone, hopefully Windows can return to a normal desktop operating system without all the insanity it has right now in Windows 11.
Can we please stop being ‘politically correct’ (lying) and call them ads again instead of ‘suggestions’?
@ Martin,
Does your gpedit hack also turn off all the other “subscribed content” shown in the registry screenshot? Do you happen to know what all those are?
Thank you, I used the fake email option, it worked great.
I wish I had read this article a few months ago, as I purchased two refurbished Windows 10 Pro PCs to replace two older ones. The 1st one I entered an existing Microsoft account I had and it imediately setup OneDrive, adding it to the path names for the common folders such as Documents, Music, video, etc. I tried to just disable OneDrive but then had odd problems finding my data copied from another older PC. long story short I was able to remove all the entries from the registry after un-installing OneDrive.
The second refurbished PC I didn’t connect the WiFi adapter so during installation I was able to click on the no Internet option. Basically I did as you suggested above; set up a local login, disabled OneDrive from running on bootup, and eventually unInstalled it. No problems with folder paths, etc.
The registry option worked for me, but only me, not any other users. How do I make this apply to all users? Yes, I have admin rights.
Just decided to create a Windows 11 system image (went OK) and then went to look for this Co-Pilot crap, but it’s nowhere to be found on my system even though I’ve got the Pro version.
What I did find though in User Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> Windows Components –> Cloud Content was the option to turn off all that Spotlight stuff. Glad to see the back of that anyway.