Monitor CPU usage in the terminal with typeperf
Stream overall CPU percentage to the console every couple of seconds using the typeperf performance counter tool.
01Command
$ typeperf "\Processor(_Total)\% Processor Time" -si 202What it does
typeperf reads Windows performance counters and prints a new value on each sample. The \Processor(_Total)\% Processor Time counter is overall CPU load, and -si 2 samples every two seconds. It's a lightweight way to watch load while testing something, and Ctrl+C stops it.
03Risk
04Undo
✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.
05Sources
- typeperf (Windows Commands)Evidence: Official reference: typeperf outputs performance counter data; the -si parameter sets the sample interval, and counter paths like \Processor(_Total)\% Processor Time are valid counters.
- TypePerf - Write performance counter dataEvidence: Documents typeperf for writing performance counter data to the command window, with the -si option setting the sample interval (e.g. -si 2 = every 2 seconds).
Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: System & Settings
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