How to open Task Manager in Windows 11?

Gabriela Haynes
3 years ago

There is a surprise for users of the new Windows 11 operating system – you will now have to open Task Manager differently because the program is no longer accessible through the taskbar.

Task Manager is the primary tool that monitors the system status of your PC. Previous versions of OS could call Task Manager by right-clicking the mouse, but Windows 11 works differently.

Microsoft has already said they have made the OS with many changes to adapt to people’s needs and provide a better experience. To deal with the new task, use our tips on how to access Task Manager properly.

Importance of Task Manager

Task Manager is a handy tool that lets you see what programs are open in the background and all the processes of those programs. You can also use Task Manager to configure the applications that the user wants to start.

There are seven tabs available to the user: 

  • processes, 
  • performance, 
  • app history, 
  • startup, 
  • users, 
  • details, 
  • services.

Processes are the most popular tab, which helps close a problematic program. The user can track the CPU, RAM, and energy involved in the process in this area.

The Task Manager still allows you to manage the applications that start when the PC starts up, using the Startup tab. It is also used to prioritize applications and allocate more CPU power with specific processes.

It isn’t easy to access the Task Manager, but there are ways to access it, which we’ll look at.

Apply different keyboard shortcuts

  1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del – select Task Manager.
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to quickly open Task Manager.
  3. Press Windows+X to open Task Manager in the Task Manager option list.

Use Windows options

  1. Click on Search – find Task Manager – click on the result.
  1. Now find taskmgr.exe in File Explorer – click on Taskmgr.exe result to open it.
  1. Press Windows+R – type taskmgr in the Run box – Enter. Task Manager can also be opened from the command line. 
  1. Re-open Run (Windows+R) – enter cmd – OK. 
  1. When the Command prompt opens, type taskmgr – Enter.

Create a shortcut on the taskbar

  1. First, you need to open Task Manager using any of the methods above.
  2. Right-click on the icon that is placed on the taskbar to select Pin to Taskbar.
  3. It is now available to open Task Manager from the taskbar.

Create a shortcut to the desktop

  1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop to select New – Shortcut.
  2. Enter C:\Windows\System32\Taskmgr.exe in the search box.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Give the shortcut another name in the Task Manager.
  5. Click Finish.
  6. This method helps you always to access the Task Manager.

Task Manager is not opening: causes

Many processes prevent Task Manager from opening and functioning correctly. For example, Task Manager is disabled by your administrator, and your account is corrupted, and so on.

Malware is the most crucial cause of malfunctions in your computer system, and Task Manager suffers as well. It is better to check your device for viruses and disinfect them by employing a verified program for Windows 11. Additionally, regular computer updates can help.

Proper cleaning of the Task Manager

A practical solution for dealing with many programs that slow down your PC is to terminate the process in Task Manager. However, it is essential to know which programs are necessary for your computer and different spyware.

  • Never terminate Windows processes that you don’t know.
  • Pay attention to the applications that close without problems and the applications that slow down your PC most noticeably.
  • Look for programs that slow down your PC with a high percentage of memory and CPU usage to close them.