12 Shortcut Ways To Open Task Manager in Windows 10/11
The Task Manager in Windows is needed to basically manage everything that is currently running on the PC. Therefore, whether you are a novice user or a system admin , it’s one of the essential Windows tools to know how to access and use.
You can use the Task Manager to force close a rogue app, disable processes left after closing an app, view apps running in the background, or simply look at the current state of system resources.
As the task manager is usually accessed when an app or process is messing up, it’s important to know more than one way to access it. So you may not get stuck in case a process prevents you from using your usual method of accessing the task manager.
For example, an app can prevent you from using the keyboard shortcut (the easiest method), in that case, you’ll have to access it from the desktop or menus.
In this post, I am going to show you all the possible ways to open the Task Manager in Windows 10. Some of these methods may not be very convenient but could be useful under certain conditions, so it’s worth knowing.
#1. Use the keyboard shortcut
The easiest and fastest way to open the Task Manager is using the dedicated keyboard shortcut. All you have to do is press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys at the same time and Task Manager will pop up. As long as your keyboard is working fine and nothing is stopping you from using shortcuts, this method should be your go-to method to open the Task Manager.
#2. Use Ctrl+Alt+Delete screen
You can also access the Task Manager from the GINA screen or CTRL+Alt+Delete screen as most people call it. Many apps (usually games) can prevent you from using the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut for opening Task Manager. However, CTRL+Alt+Delete will still work as it has priority over most processes.
Just press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys on the keyboard and click on Task Manager from the list of options that pop up.
#3. Open from Windows power user menu
The Windows 10 power user menu also has an entry for the Task Manager. To access it, either right-click on the Start menu button or press Windows+X keys. When the power user menu opens, click on the Task Manager to open it. This method can be useful when your keyboard isn’t working or you just want to use the mouse.
#4. Access from the taskbar menu
Similar to the above method, there is an entry to access the Task Manager from the taskbar menu as well. Right-click on any empty space on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu that opens up.
#5. Use a Run command
There are many Run commands to access important components of Windows , and there is one for the Task Manager too. To use it, press Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog. Here type taskmgr and click on the OK button to open the Task Manager.
Usually, issues with Windows Explorer can force you to execute commands via the Run command to access different components. This method should help you in case Windows Explorer is acting up.
#6. Run the Task Manager executable
Task Manager actually has an executable file similar to other applications you install, so you can find its executable file in the File Explorer and launch it from there. Open up This PC (or whatever file manager app you are using) to access the File Explorer. Here move to this location C > Windows > System32 and scroll down and open the executable file named Taskmgr .
You can also enter C:\Windows\System32\ in the search bar of the File Explorer to directly access this location. If Windows is installed in a different directory other than C drive, then go to that directory instead.
#7. From the Start menu
If you prefer opening apps from the Start menu, then you access the Task Manager from the Start menu too. Click on the Start menu and scroll down to the very bottom. Here click on the Windows System folder and then select Task Manager inside it.
#8. Pin Task Manager on the taskbar
If you want faster access to the Task Manager with the mouse, then you can add its executable to the taskbar to open it with one click. You have to access the executable file of Task Manager to add it to the taskbar, you can use the above methods to find the executable in the File Explorer or the Start menu.
Once found, right-click on it and select Pin to taskbar to add its icon to the taskbar. Like other taskbar icons, you can move it around and open it with one click. If you want to unpin it, right-click on the taskbar icon and select Unpin from taskbar .
#9. Create a desktop shortcut for the Task Manager
Similar to adding the Task Manager icon to the taskbar, you can also create a taskbar shortcut on the desktop for faster access. There are two ways to do it, either use the shortcut creation wizard of Windows or create a shortcut from the Task Manager executable in the File Explorer. I’ll show you both below:
To use the shortcut wizard, right-click on an empty space on the desktop and select New > Shortcut from the context menu.
In the wizard, copy/paste this location C:\Windows\System32\Taskmgr.exe and click Next .
Now type a name for the shortcut (Task Manager, in this case) and click on Finish .
The shortcut will be created and it will use the original Task Manager icon.
To create a shortcut using the executable, access the Task Manager executable file from the File Explorer just like in method 6. Afterward, right-click on it, and from the Send to option select Desktop . The desktop shortcut will be created.
#10. Use Windows search
This is a pretty obvious option, but still worth mentioning while we are listing all the possible ways. Like most other components of Windows, you can type in Task Manager in the Windows search bar at the bottom and the executable for Task Manager will pop up.
#11. Run a Command Prompt or Powershell command
If you are having a PC issue and need to run commands via Command Prompt or Powershell to solve it, then you can use a command for Task Manager to access it if needed.
You can access both the Command Prompt and Powershell from the Windows search bar. Once one of the tools is opened, type taskmgr in it and press the Enter key to open the Task Manager.
#12. From the Control Panel
If you are working inside the Control Panel, then you can also use its search option to access the Task Manager. To open the Control Panel, you can either search for it in Windows search or open the Run dialog and type control in it.
In the Control Panel, type Task Manager in the search bar at the top-right corner and a small link to Task Manager will open up on the left side under the System heading.
Wrapping up
I usually use the keyboard shortcut to access the Task Manager, but I often have to use the Ctrl+Alt+Delete screen as one of the games I play doesn’t allow using shortcuts while in full screen. Although I must confess accessing it via the power user menu sometimes when I am too lazy to reach for the keyboard. I am sure you’ll find other methods useful as well in certain situations, or at least to flex on friends.
How to Open Task Manager in Windows 10
Windows Task Manager is an advanced utility tool that helps you manage your apps that are running.
Task Manager lets you see which apps are open and which you're using. You can also see which apps are running in the background that you didn't open yourself.
One important reason that you might want to open Task Manager is to stop apps that are making windows unresponsive.
There are a few different ways to open Task Manager. So in this article, I will walk you through 7 ways you can open Task Manager on Windows 10.
1. How to Open Task Manager with Windows Search
The easiest way to find anything on a Windows machine is to search for it. Task Manager is not an exception.
- Click on the search icon then type "Task Manager" in the search bar.
- Task Manager will pop up as a search result, and you can open it from there.
2. How to Open Task Manager with Keyboard Shortcuts
Some apps might go rogue and stop Windows from responding, so you might not have access to Windows Search in such situations.
Windows has two different key combinations with which you can open up Task Manager in case you want to see running apps or stop an app.
- You can open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc all together. This opens Task Manager straightaway
- You can also open Task Manager from the GINA screen by pressing and holding Ctrl + Alt + Del .
Some apps might prevent you from accessing Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, but pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del will always open up the Graphical Identification and Authentication (GINA) screen for you so you can select and open Task Manager from there.
3. How to Open Task Manager through the Control Panel
You can use the Control Panel search option to open Task Manager.
Type "Task Manager" in the search bar and you will see a link to Task Manager under "System".
4. How to Open Task Manger through the Start Menu
A lot of people prefer opening apps from the start menu. You can open Task Manager from there too.
- Click on the Windows icon, or press the WIN Key on the keyboard.
- Scroll to the bottom and open up the Windows system folder
- Task Manager will be shown alongside some other apps – just select it there to open it.
5. How to Open Task Manager with the Run Command
Many apps and folders can be opened with the run dialogue on Windows 10. There's a command for opening Task Manager from there too.
- Press the WIN + R keys on the keyboard to open the run dialogue
- Type "taskmgr" and click "Ok" to open the Task Manager.
6. How to Open Task Manager from the Taskbar
You can open the Task Manager from Taskbar too.
Right-click on an empty space in the taskbar then select "Task Manager".
7. How to Open Task Manager from the Windows Power User Menu
In addition to the 6 methods we've already seen, you can open Task Manager by right-clicking in the Windows logo and then selecting "Task Manager" from the menu that pops up.
You can also get there by pressing and holding the Win + X keys on the keyboard and then selecting “Task Manager” from the menu.
Windows Task Manager is a very powerful tool that can greatly increase your productivity. With it, you can see which apps are running and stop those that are causing issues.
In this article, you've learned about several ways to open Task Manager on Windows 10 so you can have a better experience using it.
Thank you for reading, and have a nice time.
Web developer and technical writer focusing on frontend technologies. I also dabble in a lot of other technologies.
If you read this far, tweet to the author to show them you care. Tweet a thanks
Learn to code for free. freeCodeCamp's open source curriculum has helped more than 40,000 people get jobs as developers. Get started
Create your address on the web.
Move your domain name to IONOS.
- Free Domain
Secure site traffic and build trust.
Protect your domain from threats.
Create your own website easily.
Our experts build your website.
Create your own online store.
Fast, scalable hosting for any website.
Deploy your site, app, or PHP project from GitHub.
Optimized for speed, reliablity and control.
Powerful Exchange email and Microsoft's trusted productivity suite.
Collaborate smarter with Google's cloud-powered tools.
Secure and share your data on the go.
Protect your data from viruses, ransomware, and loss.
Reach out with your own email address.
Safeguard your emails against loss.
Pay as you go with your own scalable private server.
Your fully virtualized private server.
Get enterprise hardware with unlimited traffic
Individually configurable, highly scalable IaaS cloud
- Website Checker
- Favicon Generator
- Business Name Generator
- Whois Lookup
- SSL Checker
- Logo Creator
- IP Address Check
- Domain Check
- Validation service
- Configuration
- Wie gefällt Ihnen der Artikel? 0 0 -->
How to open Task Manager in Windows
Most Windows users will be familiar with this problem: Their computer noticeably slows down and the execution of programs or processes grinds to a halt, yet, they can’t see which application is causing the slowdown . In some cases, open windows freeze and stop responding to your commands.
If this sounds familiar, the Windows operating system series (as of Windows 2000) provides a practical tool to help you: the Windows Task Manager. This handy program provides an overview of all running processes alongside information about the computer’s power consumption. We’ll show you the options for opening the Task Manager.
What is Windows Task Manager?
Opening task manager with a shortcut, start task manager from the “run” dialog window, how to launch windows task manager from the taskbar’s context menu, starting the task manager via the windows icon’s context menu, using the search function to call up the task manager.
When a user launches and uses one or several programs, these user-controlled processes join a whole host of default processes that are already running in the background. Typically, a browser with several tabs, a text editor with an open document, an email client, a graphics program, and software for playing background music may all run at the same time. Though it’s true that these applications are clearly visible via their distinct symbol on the taskbar , their exact influence on PC performance cannot be discerned at first glance.
The Windows Task Manager gets rid of this uncertainty by offering an overview of all applications running in the background . When you discover an unnecessary process, you also have the option of ending this directly from the Task Manager. The practical tool provides detailed information on individual processes. Below you can see a quick overview of the most important tasks in the Task Manager:
- A process’s CPU and memory utilization (CPU is the abbreviation for “Central Processing Unit” and denotes your computer’s main processor)
- A process’s data carrier utilization
- Network load triggered by a process
- A process’s power consumption
- A list of programs in which autostart is activated
This information allows you to spot a program running at high capacity that you do not even need or use . You can deactivate these directly from within the Task Manager or uninstall them from your computer.
Open Task Manager with your mouse, keyboard or a shortcut
Windows offers several options for opening the Task Manager. The handy program can be called up using your mouse, your keyboard, or a nifty Task Manager key combination. The option you go for depends on your personal preference . If your operating system is no longer responding properly, however, opening the Task Manager is the way to go. This is the case if all programs and windows are frozen.
Below, we explain the various options for opening the Task Manager. The instructions and pictures refer to Windows 10 , however, they also apply to Windows 7 and 8 with only a few changes.
Are you not sure which Windows version you are using? Check out our article “Find Out Your Windows Version” to see the version you’re currently using in just a few steps.
Key combinations are usually the quickest option for accessing applications. Task Manager is no different. When you press the three keys [ctrl] + [alt] + [del] at the same time, Windows will open a simple menu on a plain background. Select the “ Task Manager ” option in this menu to launch Task Manager in a new window.
If you use Windows 7, this option is displayed under “Start Task Manager” in the menu.
However, Windows also offers a quick and easy Task Manager key combination that will take you straight to the tool . For this, hold down the [ctrl] + [shift] + [esc] keys at the same time. Task Manager will then open automatically without requiring any further mouse clicks.
You can also open the Windows Task Manager using the “Run” dialog window – the tool you may have used to send short text commands to the operating system. You can bring it up either by opening the Start menu (by clicking the Windows icon) and clicking the “Run” button, or by pressing the [Windows] + [R] key combination.
Enter the “ taskmgr ” command and click “OK” to immediately open the Task Manager.
You don’t necessarily need a keyboard in order to open the Task Manager. Starting the program from the context menu allows you to manage it without a single keystroke. To do this, first right-click on the taskbar in order to call up the context menu. In this, select the “Task Manager” option with the left mouse button. The same function is displayed to users of Windows 7 as “Start Task Manager”.
From Windows 8 , you can also start the process manager from the context menu that you can call up via the Windows icon. Just like the previous option, no keyboard is necessary for this. In order to open the Windows button’s context menu, just right-click on the Windows icon – this can usually be found in the left-hand corner of the taskbar. The context menu will launch. Another way to open this menu is by using the keyboard shortcut [Windows] + [X] . Either way, the next – and final – step is to select the “Task Manager” option.
Finally, Windows also provides the option of searching your whole computer for content of all types. You can use this option to find and open the Task Manager quickly. In Windows 10, the search field is usually located directly on the taskbar (otherwise in the Start menu).
Enter the search term “ Task Manager ”. The displayed search results will update automatically as you enter it. As soon as the appropriate result appears, select it with a left-click in the “Best Match” field or click on “ Open ” in the right field as shown below.
Can’t find the search function in your taskbar? Right-click on the bar, then open the “Search” menu and select the “Display search field” option with the left mouse button. The search field will appear on your taskbar.
If you use Windows 7 or 8 : Open the Start menu with a left-click on the Windows button. In Windows 7, the search bar becomes immediately visible. Enter the search term as described above then hit the Enter key on your keyboard. In Windows 8, you won’t see an entry field, but you don’t need one. Just open the start menu and type in your search term. The operating system will automatically perform the search and show you the results.
If the Task Manager is already open, you can also pin it to the taskbar for easy access if you like. To do this, right-click on the Task Manager symbol on the taskbar and select the option “Pin to the taskbar” with a left-click. This will allow you to open the Task Manager in just one click at any time.
There are more than 200 CMD commands available with Windows. The command prompt can be used to control large parts of the operating system, computer, or drives. You can also use the Windows “command prompt” commands to organize your files or run network tasks. To do this, though, you have to know the right commands. Here we explain how to use CMD commands and which functions they have. Our article...
As in Windows, there is a shortcut that opens the Apple Task Manager. However, unlike the Windows version, the Mac Task Manager only lets you close programs. It doesn’t show you CPU load or energy usage. If you want to check these stats, you need to access the Mac Activity Monitor instead.
Formatting a hard drive prepares a disk for use with Windows. It can subsequently be used for file storage or as a backup medium, for example. Formatting is not a major problem with Windows as all the required functions are available as on-board tools. Find out how to format a hard drive and when it is useful to do so.
Cloning hard drives is the best way to migrate data and operating systems safely and efficiently. It’s essential to have the right software to ensure that the process goes smoothly. We’ll show you what to watch out for during the cloning and how to clone a hard drive in just a few steps with trusted programs.
Related Products
Web hosting for agencies.
Provide powerful and reliable service to your clients with a web hosting package from IONOS.
A high profit can be made with domain trading! We show you what aspects to consider when trying your hand at this...
An easy step-by-step guide to getting your dream address...
We show you how exactly to connect your custom email domain with iCloud...
Create your personal email address with your own email domain to demonstrate professionalism and credibility...
what does .io mean and why is the top-level domain so popular among IT companies and tech start-ups...
Wait! We’ve got something for you! Have a look at our great prices for different domain extensions.
- Buying Guides
Complete Guides by How-To Geek
Our latest product roundups, reader favorites, more from how-to geek, latest geek news, latest reviews, across lifesavvy media.
Join 425,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .
Seven Ways to Open the Windows Task Manager
Walter Glenn is a former Editorial Director for How-To Geek and its sister sites. He has more than 30 years of experience in the computer industry and over 20 years as a technical writer and editor. He's written hundreds of articles for How-To Geek and edited thousands. He's authored or co-authored over 30 computer-related books in more than a dozen languages for publishers like Microsoft Press, O'Reilly, and Osborne/McGraw-Hill. He's also written hundreds of white papers, articles, user manuals, and courseware over the years. Read more...
Bringing up Task Manager is not much of a task itself, but it’s always fun knowing different ways of doing things. And some of them might even come in handy if you can’t open Task Manager the way you’re used to.
RELATED: Beginner Geek: What Every Windows User Needs to Know About Using the Windows Task Manager
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete
You’re probably familiar with the three-finger salute—Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Up until Windows Vista was released, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete brought you directly to Task Manager. Since Windows Vista, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete now brings you to the Windows Security screen, which provides options for locking your PC, switching users, signing out, and running Task Manager.
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc
The quickest way to bring up Task Manager—assuming your keyboard’s working—is to just press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. As a bonus, Ctrl+Shift+Esc offers a quick way to bring up Task Manager while using Remote Desktop or working inside a virtual machine (since Ctrl+Alt+Delete would signal your local machine instead).
RELATED: How to Enable Remote Desktop in Windows 10
Press Windows+X to Access the Power User Menu
Windows 8 and Windows 10 both feature a Power User menu that you can access by pressing Windows+X. The menu features quick access to all kinds of utilities, including Task Manager.
Right-Click the Taskbar
If you prefer mouse to keyboard, one of the fastest ways to bring up Task Manager is to right-click any open space on your taskbar and choose “Task Manager.” Just two clicks and you’re there.
Run “taskmgr” from the Run Box or Start Menu
The name of the executable file for Task Manager is “taskmgr.exe.” You can launch Task Manager by hitting Start, typing “taskmgr” in the Start menu search box, and hitting Enter.
You can also run it by hitting Windows+R to open the Run box, typing “taskmgr,” and then hitting Enter.
Browse to taskmgr.exe in File Explorer
You can also launch Task Manager by opening its executable directly. This is definitely the longest way of opening Task Manager, but we’re including it for the sake of completeness. Open up File Explorer and navigate to the following location:
Scroll down and look (or search) for taskmgr.exe, and then double click it.
Create a Shortcut to Task Manager
And last on our list is creating a nice, accessible shortcut to Task Manager. You can do this in a couple of ways. To pin a shortcut to your taskbar, go ahead and run Task Manager using any of the methods we’ve covered. While it’s running, right-click the Task Manager icon on the taskbar and choose “Pin to Taskbar.” After that, you’ll be able to click the shortcut to run Task Manager anytime.
If you want to create a shortcut on your desktop (or in a folder), right-click any empty space where you want to create the shortcut, and then choose New > Shortcut.
In the Create Shortcut window, enter the following location into the box and then press “Next.”
Type a name for the new shortcut, and then click “Finish.”
RELATED: Make a Shortcut to Start Task Manager in Minimized Mode
That’s the end of our list! Some methods are obviously more efficient than others, but if you’re in a tough situation—keyboard or mouse not working, battling pesky malware virus, or whatever—any method that works is a good one. You can also check out our guide on how to start Task Manager in minimized mode during startup, so it will always be open when you turn your computer on.
Image by moonstar909
- › 12 Ways to Open File Explorer in Windows 10
- › Learn These Handy Shortcuts to Get Around the Windows Control Panel
- › What Is the WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe), and Why Is It Using So Much CPU?
- › What Are All Those NVIDIA Processes Running in the Background?
- › What is LockApp.exe on Windows 10?
- › What Is Windows Logon Application (winlogon.exe), and Why Is It Running on My PC?
- › How to Monitor Your Computer’s CPU Temperature
- › Microsoft Is Revamping Windows 11’s Bad Audio Settings
Tip of the Day: a quick keyboard shortcut for Task Manager
Are you one of those people who press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and then hit the Task Manager button to see your running processes, check performance and kill errant applications? There's a faster way.
Are you one of those people who press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and then hit the Task Manager button to see your running processes, check performance and kill errant applications?
Tired of the two-step process? Thankfully, there's a quicker way — just press Ctrl + Shift + Esc for a direct path to one of the most useful tools in the Windows user's arsenal.
Get the CNET How To newsletter
- EXPLORE Coupons Tech Help Pro Random Article About Us Quizzes Contribute Train Your Brain Game Improve Your English Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
- HELP US Support wikiHow Community Dashboard Write an Article Request a New Article More Ideas...
- EDIT Edit this Article
- PRO Courses New Tech Help Pro New Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Coupons Quizzes Upgrade Sign In
- Browse Articles
- Quizzes New
- Train Your Brain New
- Improve Your English New
- Support wikiHow
- About wikiHow
- Easy Ways to Help
- Approve Questions
- Fix Spelling
- More Things to Try...
- H&M Coupons
- Hotwire Promo Codes
- StubHub Discount Codes
- Ashley Furniture Coupons
- Blue Nile Promo Codes
- NordVPN Coupons
- Samsung Promo Codes
- Chewy Promo Codes
- Ulta Coupons
- Vistaprint Promo Codes
- Shutterfly Promo Codes
- DoorDash Promo Codes
- Office Depot Coupons
- adidas Promo Codes
- Home Depot Coupons
- DSW Coupons
- Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons
- Lowe's Coupons
- Surfshark Coupons
- Nordstrom Coupons
- Walmart Promo Codes
- Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
- Fanatics Coupons
- Edible Arrangements Coupons
- eBay Coupons
- Log in / Sign up
- Computers and Electronics
- Operating Systems
How to Open Windows Task Manager: Menus, Shortcuts, & More
Fast and easy ways to see running apps and services in Windows
Last Updated: February 20, 2023 Tested
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Ctrl + alt + del, taskbar menu, power user menu, windows search, control panel, run dialog box, command prompt, file explorer, pin to the taskbar, make a desktop shortcut.
This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith . Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 257,274 times.
Trying to open the Windows Task Manager to end a process or check your computer's performance? The Task Manager allows you to view various activities that occur on your PC. You can monitor running applications, CPU and RAM usage, startup apps (Windows 8 and 10 only), and services. You can also end unresponsive or frozen applications! This wikiHow article will show you various ways to open the Task Manager in Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11, including quick keyboard shortcuts.
Things You Should Know
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to immediately open the Task Manager.
- Alternatively, right-click the Taskbar and select "Task Manager" to open it.
- You can also press Windows Key + X to open the Power User menu and select "Task Manager."
- You're ready to look through your processes and end tasks! Clearing tasks that you don't need to run is a great way to speed up a slow windows computer .
- You're done! You're ready to close unresponsive programs and change process priorities .
- You can also press ⊞ Win + x together to do this.
- Alternatively, press the T keyboard key.
- Windows 8.1 : Press ⊞ Win + Q . [1] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
- Windows XP : This method will not work.
- 1 Press ⊞ Win + S to open Windows Search. This method uses the built-in Control Panel app to open the Task Manager.
- 2 Type "control panel" in the search bar and select Control Panel . This will open the Control Panel in a new window.
- 3 Type "task manager" in the top right search bar. This will show you a list of results related to the task manager.
- 4 Click Task Manager . It's under the "System" section of the search results. You're done! The Task Manager will open in a new window.
- You'll need to scroll down past the folders, which are always placed at the top.
- 6 Right-click the Task Manager icon in the Taskbar. This will open an options menu.
- 7 Select Pin to taskbar . This will make it so that the Task Manager always appears in the Taskbar, even when it's closed. You can click the Task Manager icon to reopen it.
- In Windows 11, you may need to click Show more options to access the Create shortcut option.
- 7 Double-click the Task Manager shortcut. This will open the Task Manager in a new window.
Community Q&A
- For more helpful Windows features, check out how to take a screenshot and how to zoom out the screen . ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Video . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.
You Might Also Like
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/12445/windows-keyboard-shortcuts
About This Article
- Send fan mail to authors
Reader Success Stories
Mar 16, 2018
Is this article up to date?
May 5, 2017
Featured Articles
Trending Articles
Watch Articles
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell or Share My Info
- Not Selling Info
wikiHow Tech Help:
Tech troubles got you down? We've got the tips you need
- Personal Computing
- Software and Apps
- Miscellaneous
- Web Stories
- Phone Finder
- Mobiles Home
- Upcoming Mobiles
- MediaTek Hub
- Amazon Central
- AMD Game Zone
- Entertainment
- Cryptocurrency
Shortcut for task manager: What are the shortcut keys to open task manager on Windows and macOS laptop/PC
Task manager is an important tool that helps in managing everything that is currently running on the laptop/PC. So, how to open task manager using shortcut keys on Windows and macOS laptop/PC? There are a number of ways in which you can open the task manager to manage the processes and programs operating on the computer at the moment. Along with the keyboard shortcut for task manager, you can use Run Window, Start Button, Command Prompt, and other ways to open the task manager for managing various tasks running on your Windows computer. In case you have mac OS, you can use the relevant shortcut for the task manager to manage tasks operating on your laptop/PC. Read to find about the shortcut keys to open manager on Windows and macOS laptop/PC.
Keyboard shortcuts: 53 shortcut keys for Windows laptop/ PC and Mac
MS Excel shortcut keys list: 90 useful shortcuts to master Microsoft Excel on Windows and Mac
Table of Contents
What are the shortcut keys to open task manager on Windows laptop/PC
There is more than one shortcut for task managers and it is convenient to know them all as any application or process can prevent you from using your usual method. For example, task manager is generally accessed when any application or program hinders the operation of the computer, and if a particular program disables the keyboard, then you can still use a mouse or other options to access the task manager and End Task. Here are the different options of shortcut for task manager.
Using Ctrl + Shift + Escape
One of the easiest and often used ways to access task manager is through the keyboard. Simply press the shortcut keys for task manager – Ctrl + Shift + Escape to open it on Windows laptop/PC.
Using Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Another shortcut for task manager using the keyboard is to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, which will give you certain options, including Task Manager that you can select to open it on Windows laptop/PC.
Using Run Window
The other shortcut for task manager is through the Run Window. For this:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type ‘taskmgr’.
- Click OK to open task manager on Windows laptop/PC.
Using Start Button
The next shortcut for task manager is using the Start Button on the taskbar.
- Right-click on the start button.
- Select Task Manager from the options to open it on Windows laptop/PC.
Using Start Search
- Click the Start Search button.
- Type Task Manager in the search bar.
- Press Enter to open Task Manager on Windows laptop/PC.
Using Taskbar
Right-click anywhere on the open space on the taskbar and get options including Task Manager, which you can click on to open it on Windows laptop/PC.
What are the shortcut keys to open task manager on macOS laptop/PC
First things first, there is no task manager on macOS laptop/PC rather there is Activity Monitor which can be used for closing programs, applications, etc that are unresponsive or unused. Similar to the Windows Task Manager, you can close programs or applications that are frozen or hanging by clicking on Force quit (the equivalent of End Task of Task Manager in Windows laptop/PC). The Activity Monitor also provides information on CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, Network, and Cache (in later versions). Here are the different shortcut keys to open for task manager (activity monitor) on macOS laptop/PC.
Using Spotlight
- Click on the Spotlight button (magnifying glass icon on the top right corner).
- Type ‘Activity Monitor’ in the Spotlight Search bar and hit Return.
Using Launchpad
- Click on Launchpad (rocket icon in the Dock).
- Type ‘Activity Monitor’ and hit Return.
Using Finder
- Click on Finder (half-blue, half-white face icon in the Dock).
- Go to Applications folder.
- Next, go to Utilities folder.
- Now, select Activity Monitor.
Once the Activity Monitor window opens, you can highlight any application or program that you wish to stop, click on the cross button (X) on the top left corner and finally, click on Force Quit to close the problematic application or program.
Press Command + Option + Esc simultaneously to reach the Force Quit Applications window that lists all the applications and programs running on the macOS computer. Select the application or program and click on Force Quit (blue button) to close it. Besides, the name of the application that is already unresponsive or frozen will be highlighted in red, which you can Force Quit.
Latest Reviews
Like a Dragon: Ishin! Review: a crazy ride
Vivo V27 Pro review: a capable mid-ranger
Xiaomi 13 Pro review: pro-grade photography
How to block and unblock numbers on Android mobile phone and iPhone
How to factory reset your MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac PCs
Jio Cinema alternatives: How to watch TATA WPL 2023 livestreaming online if Jio Cinema is not working
6 best Cricket games for PC 2023: How to download, rating, system requirements, and More
Best AC brands in India: Top 10 Air Conditioners (ACs) to buy in 2023
Top split air conditioners to check out on Croma
Popular category.
- Feature 2037
- Reviews 1468
- First impressions 768
- Editorial Policy
- Visitor Agreement
- Terms & Conditions
- Mobile Recharge
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 live images leaked via NRRA certification
Vi launches new Rs 401 postpaid plan with 50GB data, Sun NXT premium subscription, and more
- MiniTool News Center
- How to Open Task Manager on Windows 10? 10 Ways for You!
How to Open Task Manager on Windows 10? 10 Ways for You! [MiniTool Tips]
In Task Manager, you can check all the running tasks, end any task, etc. Thus, it is essential to learn how to open this tool on your computer. In this post on the MiniTool website, you will know some Task Manager shortcuts and some other methods to bring up Task Manager. Now, let’s see them.
Task Manager is one of the most used tools no matter which Windows operating system you are running on your PC. It is a powerful tool designed to monitor the performance and activity of your system, end some programs, start new tasks, get details of running processes and so forth.
Before you use it, you need to open it. Then, how to open Task Manager? Now, we offer you some shortcuts of Task Manager and other ways. Some of them come in handy if you can’t open the app in the way that you are used to choosing.
Is Task Manager not responding in Windows 10/8/7? Now get the full solutions to fix Task Manager if you can’t open it.
How to Open Task Manager on Windows 10
Quick ways: windows task manager shortcut.
The keyboard shortcut is a common way to open some Windows tools and Task Manager is not an exception. And here we will show you the shortcut to open Task Manager.
1. Ctrl + Shift + Esc
This shortcut for Task Manager is the fastest way. If your keyboard is working, press the Task Manager hotkey – Ctrl + Shift + Esc when you need to end certain tasks.
2. Ctrl + Alt + Del
Another shortcut to open Task Manager is Ctrl + Alt + Del . It can bring you to a screen with several options and you should click Task Manager to open it.
Windows 10 offers a Power User menu that is filled with several kinds of utilities including Task Manager. To access this menu, you can press Win and X on your keyboard. Then, choose Task Manager to open this tool for task management.
Now, these three Task Manager shortcuts are for you and you can choose one to bring up Task Manager. In the following paragraphs, let’s see some other ways to open Task Manager on Windows 10.
Bring up Task Manager via Taskbar
If you like using a mouse, one of the fastest methods to open this app is using the taskbar. You can right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager .
Use the Search Box to Run This Tool
In Windows 10, you can click the search field and type task manager . Windows will show you some results and Task Manager will be the best match. Then, click Open from the right side to open this app.
Run Task Manager via Control Panel
How to open Task Manager on Windows 10 via Control Panel? These steps are here.
Step 1: Open Control Panel .
Step 2: Input task manager to the search box and Click Task Manager from the result.
Run taskmgr.exe in File Explorer
Task Manager is shipped as a separate program that integrates with Windows 10. To open it, you can go to File Explorer by Win + E . Then, input %SystemDrive%\Windows\ System32 to the address bar, scroll down to find Taskmgr.exe and double-click it to open this utility.
Use the Run Tool
Follow the guide of how to bring up Task Manager via Run:
Step 1: Press Win + R to get the Run window.
Step 2: Type taskmgr to the text box and press Enter or click OK .
Run Command Prompt
Step 1: Run Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Step 2: Type taskmgr and press Enter to open Task Manager.
Create a Desktop Shortcut for Task Manager
You can create a desktop shortcut for this tool. The ways to do this work are multiple and this post - How to Create a Desktop Shortcut on Windows 10? (3 Categories) is helpful for you.
Right now, we have shown you 10 ways to bring up Task Manager. If you are looking for how to open Task Manager, refer to this post and choose one way.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Vera is an editor of the MiniTool Team since 2016 who has more than 5 years’ writing experiences in the field of technical articles. Her articles mainly focus on disk & partition management, PC data recovery, video conversion, as well as PC backup & restore, helping users to solve some errors and issues when using their computers. In her spare times, she likes shopping, playing games and reading some articles.
User Comments :
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
An organization’s task environment is the collection of factors that affects its ability to achieve goals. Common factors in the task environment include competitors, customers, suppliers and distributors.
Task interdependence sets rules and guidelines for the sharing of expertise, materials and information between members of an organization working on interdependent tasks.
Bringing up Task Manager is not much of a task itself, but it’s always fun knowing different ways of doing things. And some of them might even come in handy if you can’t open Task Manager the way you’re used to. Join 425,000 subscribers an...
The easiest and fastest way to open the Task Manager is using the dedicated keyboard shortcut. All you have to do is press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys at the same time
2. How to Open Task Manager with Keyboard Shortcuts · You can open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc all together. This opens Task
Key combinations are usually the quickest option for accessing applications. Task Manager is no different. When you press the three keys [ctrl]
The quickest way to bring up Task Manager—assuming your keyboard's working—is to just press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. As a bonus, Ctrl+Shift+Esc offers a
Tired of the two-step process? Thankfully, there's a quicker way — just press Ctrl + Shift + Esc for a direct path to one of the most useful
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to immediately open the Task Manager. Alternatively, right-click the Taskbar and select "Task Manager" to open it. You can also press
One of the easiest and often used ways to access task manager is through the keyboard. Simply press the shortcut keys for task manager – Ctrl +
Another shortcut to open Task Manager is Ctrl + Alt + Del. It can bring you to a screen with several options and you should click Task Manager to open it. Ctrl
1. Use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut ... The fastest way to open Task Manager, both in Windows 11 and in Windows 10, is to
How to access the task manager on a Windows 10 computer.
On the keyboard, press "Ctrl + Alt + Delete," you will see few options. To open Task Manager, select "Task Manager." Method 4: Start Button To open Task Manager