8 Ways to Open Windows Task Manager

2025 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-23 12:04

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.

You may need to scroll through the folder views