Windows 10/11 - How to Access Task Manager, What It Tells You, and How to End a Task

Task manager is an Operating System feature of Windows that assists administrators and end users in managing, tracking, and debugging tasks. Its main objective is to enable users to monitor and control the programs and processes operating on their computers.

This article will take you through the different methods of accessing the Task Manager, explain the variety of information it provides, and show you how to start and stop tasks to maintain system stability efficiently.

How to Access Task Manager in Windows 10/11

Windows 10 and 11 have provided several ways to access the Task Manager. Some of them are as follows:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl + Shift + Escape: Pressing these keys on the keyboard will directly open the Task Manager.

Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Press this combination for a few options. Click on “Task Manager” to open it.

Start Button

Right-click on the start button on the taskbar to see a menu. Select “Task Manager” to launch it.

Run Window

Press Windows + R to open Run Window. Search “taskmgr” and click “Enter” to open the Task Manager.

Using the Task Bar

Right-click on a space on the Task Bar. A context menu will appear, then click on “Task Manager” to launch it.

Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt and type “taskmgr.” Task Manager will be launched immediately.

What Task Manager Tells You

Task Manager offers multiple tabs with various information. Below is a summary of what is available:

Processes Tab

This tab displays a list of all applications running at the moment and background processes. It conveys details like CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network usage for each process.

Performance Tab

It shows graphs and statistics of CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network usage and their comprehensive metrics, including speed, utilization percentage, and memory usage.

App History Tab

It shows historical data on how apps use resources, such as CPU time and network utilization. It also analyzes the system resources consumed by apps over time.

Startup Tab

It lists the apps that Windows launches automatically. It also displays how each program affects launch performance, allowing you to manage startup items better and speed up boot times.

Users Tab

It shows resource usage, including CPU, Memory, and Disk usage of users who recently logged into the system.

Details Tab

It provides an elaborate view of all running processes, such as process ID (PID), memory usage, and other advanced details.

Services Tab

It lists all Windows services and allows you to start, stop, or restart services.

How to End a Task in Windows 10/11

If an application stops responding or uses too many resources, it may be helpful to end the task. This is how you do it:

Use any of the methods mentioned above to open the Task Manager.

1. Select the desired task or process that you want to end in the list.

2. In the Task Manager window, click the “End Task” or “End Process” button in the lower-right corner.

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Task Manager is a versatile tool in Windows 10 and 11. By understanding its tabs and how to access and end a task, you can keep your system operating efficiently and manage its resources well.