Windows Performance Counters are built-in performance metrics exposed by the Windows operating system that provide a unified way to observe performance, state, and high-level facets of Windows subsystems, components, and native or third-party applications. These counters can be invaluable for monitoring resource usage and infrastructure health, as well as systems that services rely on. DevOps engineers and developers use performance counters to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and improve end-user experience. While built-in GUI utilities allow users to monitor Windows Performance Counters, remote monitoring alongside other key metrics is often more practical with a unified monitoring solution like Datadog. Datadog seamlessly maps Windows native telemetry to its own metrics, which can be sliced, diced, sorted, filtered, and aggregated. To start collecting Windows Performance Counters in Datadog, users must conceptualize them at the individual counter level, understanding how they map to countersets and instances. Once configured, these counters stream into Datadog, allowing users to view them in the Metrics Explorer. Users can decide which metrics to collect based on their specific needs and goals, such as monitoring resource usage or network traffic. With Datadog's integration, Windows Performance Counters offer deep visibility into internal application state and system health, enabling teams to design performant apps that satisfy customers.