11 simplest ways to open Task Manager on Windows

When the computer freezes or crashes and cannot close any application windows, users often think of Task Manager.

Task Manager contains many utility applications on your computer, allowing users to check the applications, processes and services currently running on the computer. Users can use Task Manager to launch, stop programs and stop processes.

In the article below, Network Administrator will introduce you to 11 simple ways to open Task Manager on Windows.

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1. On the Taskbar

Opening Windows Task Manager on the Taskbar is one of the simplest ways. You just need to right-click on the taskbar, select Task Manager in the menu that appears to open Windows Task Manager settings.

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Task Manager will appear by default with a condensed interface, click More details at the bottom of the window to display the full interface of Task Manager as below:

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2. Use keyboard shortcuts

In addition to the above method, you can use keyboard shortcuts to open Task Manager on Windows. Just press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc , the Task Manager interface will appear on the screen.

3. Use the Command Prompt command

You can use the Command Prompt command to open Task Manager. Open  Command Prompt by entering cmd in the Windows search box and clicking on the result that appears:

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After the Command Prompt window appears, enter the following command into the Command Prompt window and press Enter to open Task Manager:

taskmgr

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Also, if you want, you can open Task Manager under Admin. The steps are similar to above, but you choose the Command Prompt (Admin)  or Run as administrator option instead of selecting Command Prompt.

4. Use the Run command

In addition to using the Command Prompt command, you can use the Run command window to open Task Manager.

First press the Win + R key combination to open the Run command window, then enter taskmgr into the Run window and press Enter to open Task Manager.

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5. Open Task Manager from File Explorer

On Windows, Task Manager is a separate application integrated into Windows. Therefore you can open Task Manager from Windows File Explorer.

First, open File Explorer by pressing the key combination Win + E.

After opening File Explorer, navigate to the path below:

C:WindowsSystem32

Find the Taskmgr.exe application , then double-click it to open Task Manager.

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If you want to open Task Manager under Admin, right-click on the application and select Run As Administrator.

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6. Use the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del

In addition to the above methods, you can also open Task Manager from the Windows security screen.

First, press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del. After the security interface appears, select the Task Manager option to open Task Manager.

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7. Open Task Manager from search

From the Windows 10 system search box (also the Windows 7 Start menu), simply enter the keyword ' task manager ' and click on the corresponding item in the returned results. Additionally, you can also choose to open Task Manager as an administrator by clicking on the Run As Administrator option as shown below.

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8. Open Task Manager from Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell is another useful utility that can help users open different applications on Windows 10 similar to Command Prompt.

First of all, it must be affirmed that PowerShell is not a tool not for the masses because it requires you to have a little deeper knowledge of computers to be able to master it. However, the process of opening Task Manager through Windows PowerShell is not at all complicated.

To get started, press the Win + X key combination to open Windows PowerShell, preferably as an administrator. Additionally, you can also open PowerShell from the Windows 10 search box.

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Once the PowerShell window opens, enter the same command as you did in the command prompt above: taskmgr . This will open Task Manager right in the PowerShell window.

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9. Open Task Manager from Control Panel

Of course, you can also access Task Manager from the familiar Control Panel tool. However, this is not a method that people use often because it will be a bit cumbersome.

First, you need to access Control Panel from the Start menu or File Explorer.

When the Control Panel window opens, navigate to the search bar at the top of the screen, enter the keyword ' task manager ' and press Enter. This will open Task Manager from system resources.

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10. Open Task Manager from Windows 10 Registry

In the 'rarest' case, if you want to slightly edit Task Manager's properties (we do not recommend you do this, unless you clearly know what you are doing), it can be accessed from Windows 10 registry.

First, you navigate to the Windows 10 search box/run command window and enter the keyword ' regedit '. Then navigate to the following path:

ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionTaskManager

Once inside, you can adjust Task Manager properties from ' Preferences ' and ' UseStatusSetting '.

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11. Create a shortcut to Task Manager

And last in the list of ways to open Task Manager is to create a beautiful, easy-to-access shortcut for Task Manager. You can do this in a number of ways. To pin a shortcut to the taskbar, go ahead and run Task Manager using any of the methods the article mentioned. While Task Manager is running, right-click the Task Manager icon on the taskbar and select Pin to Taskbar . You can then click the shortcut to run Task Manager at any time.

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If you want to create a shortcut on your desktop (or in a folder), right-click any empty space where you want to create a shortcut, then select New > Shortcut .

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In the Create Shortcut window , enter the following location in the box and then click Next.

C:WindowsSystem32

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Enter a name for the new shortcut, then click Finish.

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That's the last way on the list to open Task Manager on Windows! Some methods are obviously more effective than others, but if you're in a difficult situation - such as a keyboard or mouse that's not working, having to deal with a virus, malware, etc. discomfort or any problem - then whatever method works is a lifesaver.

Good luck!

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Lesley Montoya

Update 24 June 2024