11 Simple Ways to Open Task Manager on Windows

When the computer freezes or hangs, and no application window can be closed, users often think of Task Manager.

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

1. On the Taskbar

Opening Windows Task Manager from the taskbar is one of the simplest ways. You just need to right-click on the taskbar, and choose Task Manager from the pop-up menu to open Windows Task Manager.

Task Manager will appear by default with a compact interface, you click on More details at the bottom of the window to display the full interface of Task Manager as below.

2. Using Shortcut Keys

Besides the method above, you can use shortcut keys to open Task Manager on Windows. Just press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, and the Task Manager interface will be displayed on the screen.

3. Using Command Prompt

You can use Command Prompt to open Task Manager. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the search box on Windows and click on the result that appears:

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

In addition, if you want, you can open Task Manager with Admin rights. The execution steps are similar as above, but you choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Run as administrator option instead of selecting Command Prompt.

4. Using Run Command

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

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

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, you open File Explorer by pressing the Win + E keys.

After opening File Explorer, navigate through the following path:

C:\Windows\System32

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

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

6. Using the Ctrl + Alt + Del Keys

Besides the methods above, you can also open Task Manager from the Windows security interface.

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

7. Open Task Manager from Search

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

8. Open Task Manager from Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell is another useful utility that can help users open various applications on Windows 10 just like Command Prompt.

First of all, it must be asserted that PowerShell is not a tool meant for everyone as it requires you to have a bit more in-depth knowledge of computers to master. However, the process of opening Task Manager through Windows PowerShell is not complicated at all.

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

After the PowerShell window opens, type the same command as you did in the command prompt above: taskmgr. This action will open Task Manager right within the PowerShell window.

9. Open Task Manager from Control Panel

Of course, you can also access Task Manager from the familiar tool, Control Panel. Strictly speaking, this is not the method most people use often because it is somewhat cumbersome.

First, you need to access the 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 action will open Task Manager from the system resources.

10. Open Task Manager from Windows 10 Registry

In the “rarest” case, if you want to tweak a little property of Task Manager (we do not recommend you do this, unless you clearly understand what you are doing), you can access it from the Windows 10 registry.

First, navigate to the Windows 10 search box/run command window and type “regedit”. Then navigate through the following path:

ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionTaskManager

Once inside, you can adjust the properties of Task Manager from “Preferences” and “UseStatusSetting”.

11. Create a Shortcut to Task Manager

And finally, in the list of ways to open Task Manager is to create a neat, accessible shortcut for Task Manager. You can do this in several ways. To pin the shortcut to the taskbar, go ahead and run Task Manager using any method mentioned in the article. While Task Manager is running, right-click the Task Manager icon on the taskbar and select Pin to Taskbar. After that, you can click on the shortcut to run Task Manager anytime.

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

In the Create Shortcut window, enter the following location into the box and hit Next.

C:\Windows\System32

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

That is the last method on the list of opening Task Manager on Windows! Some methods are obviously more efficient than others, but if you're in a difficult situation - like if the keyboard or mouse isn't working, dealing with a virus, annoying malware, or any problem - then any method that works is a useful lifeline.