Getting Started

Performance Monitor lets you:

• View data from multiple computers simultaneously.

• See how changes you make affect the computer.

• Change charts of current activity while viewing them.

• Export Performance Monitor data to spreadsheets or database programs, or use it as raw input for C programs.

• Trigger a program or procedure, or send notices when a threshold is exceeded.

• Log data about various objects from different computers over time. You can use these log files to record typical resource use, monitor a problem, or help in capacity planning.

• Combine selected sections of several log files into a long-term archive.

• Report on current activity or trends over time.

• Save different combinations of counter and option settings for quick starts and changes.

Performance Monitor is designed as a horizontal screening tool that shows a broad view of the computer's performance. In simpler cases, it might fully identify a problem. More often, you will use it to indicate which specialized tool, such as a profiler, a working set monitor, or a network analyzer to use next.

The next sections provide some tips for using Performance Monitor. For specific instructions, see Performance Monitor Help.