How to Open the task manager in Windows

How to Open the task manager in Windows
Table of Contents
  1. How to Open the task manager in Windows
  2. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete
  3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc
  4. Press Windows+X to access the Power User Menu
  5. Right-click the Taskbar
  6. Run "taskmgr" from the Run Box or Start Menu
  7. Browse to Taskmgr.exe in File Explorer
  8. Create a shortcut to Task Manager
  9. Where is Task Manager on my laptop?
  10. Why is my task manager broken?
  11. Conclusion

As you know, task managers are system monitor tools that provide information about processes and programs on a computer and its overall state. So, if you are searching for how to open the task manager in Windows, then you have come to the right place. You will find a complete guide related to Window Task Manager on this page.

Although Task Manager isn't difficult to set up, learning different ways of doing things can be fun.
 

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete

In this method, you press Ctrl+Alt+Delete at the same time. So this feature works in Windows Vista by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete, which brings you directly to the Task Manager. By pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete in Windows Vista, it brings you to the Windows Security screen, which gives you options for locking your computer, changing users, logging out, and starting Task Manager.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kRwPDMn73bpsvuAeNOC4zkn4Eoh4eFLennSRqlLsLz99w9R0jeOJz-eVM5zOZfwDlJz9sE1NFX3a8KWlxsj6vNjHupvoI7F-S92Ae287psrC_9N_1WH08kogRQSvbS4tHjd9sAM2acN-j9m54rttK8yLxHBzyFvUs3V9q_jE-M3TQvKP0_JfSMvO3w

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc

It is the easiest way to open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Additionally, while using Remote Desktop or in a virtual machine, Ctrl+Shift+Esc provides a quick way to open Task Manager (since Ctrl+Alt+Delete would signal your local machine instead).

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/HwdL410haP3kv-lRCiE1UnosEtjEn3Scgj0h_JzQ-03AvuK8MbKpW_bwqE5U0stdalErsGAKMozphHH21513pYzA7icEOG4Q0LKb3iH1u8P1wtcYAv9s2Ka_UM9nWNanTl9fmF7Y50CwyoB8_QHpTlNxYicvBOeSxYMdjRqnDpR-Ds4rQ-EP9LWS5A

Press Windows+X to access the Power User Menu

If we talk about Windows 8 and Windows 10, in both of these windows, you can access the task manager by pressing Windows+X. The menu provides quick access to various utilities, including Task Manager.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qKdskSw8tmkPsUJjB_ai650rIRZP1h4TgTpoRSAS4_2pDPnSBj2uqyixNifkDg8h0qIIl0KvBGpT1Im2gLKG-ry6FaJVD_eCc25ZTbsD7ZaKedRvfuujJCqqo85585dofgKUnKIGvjKKSSbIK4BM5PyBZf6NCkkvR8ARS0ySr2xjkt9cNHIows-c0Q
 

Right-click the Taskbar

If you want to open the Task Manager using a mouse instead of a keyboard, then one of the fastest ways to open the Task Manager is to right-click on your computer screen and select "Task Manager." You're there in just two clicks.
 

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FrLX7M55zzfy5tFzUpMDIIv6HgAvzgTHfraBlrqMqkSE1pMATl2Ghir2vyjLgklGbUcYQ83WeEPUJVa66Zi9qWjkTyvSsN0lv4KC3e124MepdW137RiFmBKOiAmQwDPUiH-nx1ujrQu7eietZ-zUc8LBC_I6YUTnO19asfNZywHMIwkUCtlIaVDz4Q

Run "taskmgr" from the Run Box or Start Menu

The Task Manager's executable file, called "taskmgr.exe," is used in this method. By selecting Start, entering "taskmgr" into the Start menu search box, and selecting Enter, you can open Task Manager.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6asvDZ1-8h4yCgkm1MmKn818K6ZuLLpC1N0aDS90qE_kEL9KPCEf7Zwl9cSfEDDn1g6_2dFtCOtW3EaHifqScy96QOn0anhIUDc1cq0KsgcHJi8g9_BOFA7pQ9rSRaf6WAefZFL5bIOSr3dm9A890WDOud4Lh_Muzc-jJ41_RP0r-C5W-B7Ip27vaA

Furthermore, you can also run it by pressing Windows+R to bring up the Run box, typing "taskmgr," and then press Enter.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4GTxqf7er7kJYi3bQSyQQP0dXcjno_lOaNZgKVG5nrt7kfJOUbfHgcD2kx5pfvScMj8mmpRcVhyVJ74J7Mf1l403L_1lDfVWpV4Pm8stP2LCQAA0hFTGaQETj0eRZ6UzTlMQrZ9ilZQ0xRDlQB8Wz8Z2zFq_kJgolYs2hknj_y2jVwIUs-Sw_zSgQg

Browse to Taskmgr.exe in File Explorer

Opening the executable file direct is undoubtedly the most time-consuming way to launch Task Manager; we've included it to be thorough. Go to the following location by opening File Explorer:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J1TiSTnJ8Ja01ZKCgWkBY-oBVwVxywBaqgG9VmolNlBMEy8kfq3rSA2V_LScg3PAt2rgfyPGHMgNFnadneThxOnYXYVGbkhQzGsr-FNEnq5URUi6TntEbbZBzjh6l20J6C6O0111r_CDfDCbqzraidjveAOadPbszq4wjKe030z4z1Bg_79LCbEyvA

Create a shortcut to Task Manager

The final item on our list is creating a convenient shortcut to Task Manager. There are various methods for doing this. Use any techniques we've discussed to launch Task Manager before pinning a shortcut to your taskbar. Right-click the Task Manager icon in the taskbar while it is active and select "Pin to Taskbar." Following that, you can always launch Task Manager by clicking the shortcut.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/W4xH6NtUagCj0cWnH-7VM4CNnflq5_rtpilUkAivDKUK3UUh22bjuW5clUeAYgABE0BukCCpIzhaz5E8iLwTETnO3asVeJFiJOXdj1eTa0v3D_mgTrpFTvnwqxL8tUNcv4mUSMVXnRh6uC5oBjstvDZKyIQL4euvcmIa_63b7GScwvCQeTOYa8xuvg
If you want to create a shortcut on your desktop (or in a folder), right-click any available space and select New > Shortcut from the menu that appears.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Vq2dMr8PMYvxmrXQxPGmBcaZoaQGtc_138dxSNaM8vuKPq8a-Eb28t3Qf9-DjAkTF1jR4MOCgFQatVpxGdDKr4ez26_KWMqeUHH2oPglQ6-gNDocxg0F4WdDsXlI5wLz2309ClmXpsEnhpPbhis2FoMJ_Uv6JGIZW4HPPwliKSlcEF6_IsqTVBZTsg
Enter the following address in the Create Shortcut window and click "Next" to continue.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uIMbreWLp0U547uoNhu5Kyx5J9GJ_qu0M175bz1RXmhYHStnlxV9zNYoOz3uqJWwfHBFUPkdMFB11ZmUhq1eOKIxThfrxUYHz2S7ZtkCGJwDvs54f-Nhlml_tuyVir1LJ8DdJat0kiiDLnl0Hl4VXE9QF-2S8iMGb2CPGO8Y4AahKC8cvAgEu9CQWA
After typing a name for the new shortcut, click on the "Finish button".
 

Where is Task Manager on my laptop?

To launch the Task Manager using a keyboard shortcut, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Alternatively, right-click the Windows taskbar and choose "Task Manager." You can also open the Task Manager shortcut in your Start menu by searching for it there, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and then click "Task Manager" on the screen that appears.
 

Why is my task manager broken?

Your computer's Task Manager may not be functioning due to file corruption. Occasionally, your system drive may become corrupt, which can cause several Windows problems. Users advise that you run a chkdsk scan to resolve this and many other issues.
 

Conclusion

We've reached the end of our list. Although some techniques are undoubtedly more effective than others, any technique that works is good if you're facing a challenging situation (a broken keyboard or mouse, a persistent malware infection, etc.).