Kil0bit System Monitor – Free & Open‑Source Taskbar Hardware Monitor for Windows 11
If you’re searching for a lightweight system monitor for Windows 11 that shows CPU, RAM, GPU, and network speed directly on the taskbar, I built something for you.
It’s called Kil0bit System Monitor — a free and open‑source hardware monitoring app designed to be simple, secure, and easy to use.
👉 Official GitHub Repository: https://github.com/kil0bit-kb/kil0bit-system-monitor
Why I Built Kil0bit System Monitor
For years, I relied on tools like NetSpeedMonitor to monitor internet speed from the Windows taskbar. But it no longer works properly on Windows 11. I also tried Traffic Monitor, which works well, but it depends on a kernel-level driver. That can introduce potential security risks, and I personally prefer avoiding that whenever possible.
So instead of compromising, I decided to build my own secure Windows 11 system monitor — one that:
Does not require administrator privileges
Does not use third-party kernel drivers
Is completely open source
Focuses on performance and simplicity
Kil0bit System Monitor is the result.
Features – What You Can Monitor
This taskbar hardware monitor displays real-time system stats, including:
CPU usage
RAM usage
GPU usage
GPU temperature
Network download speed
Network upload speed
All of this appears directly on your Windows 11 taskbar overlay, so you don’t need to open Task Manager repeatedly.
Download & Installation (MSI or Portable)
You can download the latest release from the GitHub Releases section.
Two versions are available:
MSI Installer – Standard installation on your system
Portable EXE – Run instantly without installing
Because the app is not digitally signed (code signing certificates are expensive), Windows may show a “Windows protected your PC” warning. You can safely click More info → Run anyway.
Since the project is open source, you can review the entire codebase yourself. Still, I always recommend scanning any downloaded software with VirusTotal or your preferred antivirus.
How to Use Kil0bit System Monitor
After installing:
Open the app from the desktop shortcut or Start menu.
Enable Hardware Overlay on Taskbar.
Position the overlay anywhere you like.
Lock the position if needed.
(Optional) Enable Launch on Windows Startup.
You can fully customize what appears on the overlay. For example:
Show only CPU and RAM
Disable network speed
Monitor a specific network adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
It’s flexible and built to match your workflow.
Customization Options
Kil0bit System Monitor includes multiple display styles:
Standard Mode – Detailed text layout
Compact Mode – Single-line minimal view
Icon Mode – Clean, modern icon-based design
You can also:
Change fonts
Adjust accent colors
Modify backdrop (background) color
Control background opacity
If you’re using a transparent Windows 11 taskbar, you can keep the overlay fully transparent. Or you can add a background color for better contrast.
System Tray Controls
The app runs quietly in the system tray. From there, you can:
Open settings
Save configuration
Completely quit the application
Note: Closing the settings window does not fully exit the app. You must click Quit Application to close it completely.
Built for Windows 11 Users Who Want Simplicity
My goal with Kil0bit System Monitor was to create a secure, lightweight, and modern Windows 11 taskbar system monitor without unnecessary permissions or complicated setup.
I personally use it daily, and I’m continuously improving it based on feedback.
If you like simple utilities that just work — and respect your system’s security — give it a try.
Again, you can find the full source code and latest releases here:
https://github.com/kil0bit-kb/kil0bit-system-monitor
If you have suggestions, feature requests, or ideas, feel free to open an issue or reach out. I’m always open to feedback and love improving my projects.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy using Kil0bit System Monitor!
I’ve also made a video on this topic — you can watch it below.
Check out my other posts, I post useful tutorials and tech tips, maybe you will find something useful 😉.