Windows Task Manager allows you to view and monitor various activities running on your computer, such as active applications, RAM and CPU usage, active services, and applications that are open when the computer is on (Windows 8 and above). You can also use Task Manager to close applications, even those that are not responding. This article will show you various ways to open the Task Manager in Windows.
Step
Method 1 of 8: Using the Context Menu in the Taskbar
Step 1. Right-click an empty space on the taskbar
You will see a context menu.
Step 2. Select Task Manager or Start Task Manager near the bottom of the context menu
Step 3. Done
Method 2 of 8: Using the Power User Menu (Windows 8 and 10)
Step 1. Right click the Start button
in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Select Task Manager from the list of options
Or, press the T key
Step 3. Done
Method 3 of 8: Using the Keyboard Shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Direct Access)
Step 1. Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc simultaneously
Step 2. Done
Method 4 of 8: Using Windows Security Screen (Ctrl + alt=""Image" + Del)</h3" />
Step 1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del keys simultaneously
Step 2. Select "Task Manager" from below the list of links
If you are using an older version of Windows, click "Start Task Manager".
Step 3. Done
Method 5 of 8: Using the Windows Search Feature
Step 1. Open the Windows search feature according to the version of the operating system you are using
-
Windows 10: Click the Cortana button/icon/bar. If you can't find it, press the button
- Windows 8.1: Press Win+Q.
-
Windows 7 and Vista: Click button
- Windows XP: Unfortunately, this step cannot be performed if you are using Windows XP.
Step 2. Enter task manager
Step 3. Select the result with the word "task manager" in it
Step 4. Done
Method 6 of 8: Using the Run Dialog Box
Step 1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Win+R simultaneously
Step 2. Enter taskmgr
Step 3. Press Enter, or click OK
Step 4. Done
Method 7 of 8: Using the Command Line (Command Prompt or PowerShell)
Step 1. Open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell by searching for the application and selecting the appropriate search result
Step 2. Wait for the app to open
You'll see the copyright statement and user folder at the top of the window.
Step 3. Enter the taskmgr command
Step 4. Run the command by pressing Enter
Step 5. Done
Method 8 of 8: Using File Explorer
Step 1. Open File Explorer
Step 2. Click the address bar
Step 3. Enter %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32
Step 4. Press Enter, or click the → button on the right side of the address bar
Step 5. Find the "Taskmgr" file, and open it
You may see file extensions, depending on the folder settings.