Make sure you grab the installer. The 64-bit version will fail on your system. (Look for filenames like NetSpeedMonitor_2.5.4.0_x86.msi ).
Unlike other tools that sit in the system tray, NetSpeedMonitor creates a custom toolbar that displays live bitrates right next to your clock. netspeedmonitor 32-bit windows 8
NetSpeedMonitor is a lightweight, open-source network monitoring toolbar designed to display real-time upload and download speeds directly on the Windows taskbar. While originally developed for older operating systems like Windows XP and Windows 7, it remains a popular utility for users of 32-bit (x86) Windows 8 systems who require immediate visibility into their network performance. Make sure you grab the installer