How to Open Windows Task Manager

The Windows Task Manager allows you to view and monitor various activities that occur on your computer. Examples of information available in Task Manager are running applications, CPU and RAM usage, startup apps (Windows 8 and 10 only),...

Method 1 of 8:

Using the Taskbar Context Menu

  1. Picture 1 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Right-click an empty space on the taskbar. Doing so will prompt a context menu.
  2. Picture 2 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Choose Task Manager or Start Task Manager. It's towards the bottom of the context menu.
  3. Picture 3 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Method 2 of 8:

Using the Power User Menu (Windows 10 and 8)

  1. Picture 4 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Right-click on the Start
    Picture 5 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    button. It's located at the lower-left corner of your screen.
  2. Picture 6 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Choose Task Manager from the list of options.
    1. Alternatively, press the T keyboard key.
  3. Picture 7 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Method 3 of 8:

Using the Ctrl + Shift + Esc Keyboard Shortcut (Direct Access)

  1. Picture 8 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Press the Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc keys together.
  2. Picture 9 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Method 4 of 8:

Using the Windows Security (Ctrl + Alt + Del) Screen

  1. Picture 10 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys together.
  2. Picture 11 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Choose "Task Manager" from the bottom of the list of links. If you're running an older Windows version, it might be listed as "Start Task Manager".
  3. Picture 12 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Method 5 of 8:

Using Windows Search

  1. Picture 13 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Launch the search feature. Follow these steps depending on your Windows version:
    1. Windows 10: Click the cortana/search bar/icon. If it's hidden, then press the Start
      Picture 14 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
      button.
    2. Windows 8.1: Press ⊞ Win+Q.[1]
    3. Windows 7 and Vista: Click the Start
      Picture 15 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
      button.
    4. Windows XP: This method will not work.
  2. Picture 16 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Type task manager.
  3. Picture 17 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Select the appropriate result. The listing should have the words "task manager" within the result.
  4. Picture 18 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Method 6 of 8:

Use the Run Dialog Box

  1. Picture 19 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Open the Run dialog box. Press ⊞ Win+R together.
  2. Picture 20 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Type taskmgr.
  3. Picture 21 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Hit ↵ Enter or click OK.
  4. Picture 22 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Method 7 of 8:

Using the Command Line (Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell)

  1. Picture 23 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. This can be done by searching for the respective application and selecting it from the results.
  2. Picture 24 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Wait for the app to fully load. You should see copyright text at the top and your user folder path.
  3. Picture 25 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Type taskmgr.
  4. Picture 26 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Submit the command. Hit the ↵ Enter key.
  5. Picture 27 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Method 8 of 8:

Using File Explorer

  1. Picture 28 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Open File Explorer.
  2. Picture 29 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Click the address bar.
  3. Picture 30 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Type %SystemDrive%WindowsSystem32.
  4. Picture 31 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Hit ↵ Enter or click → to the far right of the address bar.
  5. Picture 32 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Find "Taskmgr" and open it. It might have ".exe" at the end of the name depending on your file viewing settings.
    1. You'll need to scroll down past the folders, which are always placed at the top.
  6. Picture 33 of How to Open Windows Task Manager
    Finished.
Update 04 March 2020
windowsmethodclick

You should read it

Maybe you are interested

Category

System

Mac OS X

Hardware

Game

Tech info

Technology

Science

Life

Application

Electric

Program

Mobile