Hello! The Windows 11 task manager is one of the most useful tools in Microsoft’s latest operating system. Even from previous versions. Indeed, it is one of the oldest Windows internal management applications. This tool is intended for medium-advanced or professional users. Especially those who want to thoroughly control the operation of their equipment. Furthermore, those who wish to solve some problems that arise from its use. A regular user uses it for only a few tasks. Mostly to finish some frozen application. However, its functions go beyond that. In addition, Microsoft extensively revamped it in Windows 10 with the addition of some new features and better integration. Additionally, this was deepened in Windows 11. So, it is a very complete and effective tool. Read on to learn more about the Top 10 most useful features of the Windows 11 task manager.
How to access the Windows 11 task manager
Accessing this tool is elementary. In fact, it can be accessed in several ways, including the use of keyboard shortcuts. Let’s review them:
- Ctrl + Alt + Delete: This is the method that almost everyone knows. However, it is not the fastest because in Windows 11 it does not start directly. Moreover, you will have to make an additional click to start it.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc. More direct than the previous one. In fact, it launches immediately the task manager. It also has the advantage that, due to the position of the keyboard, it can be executed with only one hand.
- Taskbar. If you right-click with the mouse on the taskbar, there is an option to access the manager.
- Advanced user menu. Another quick access using the mouse. Right-click on the start button to access the advanced menu, and you will also find this Task Manager.
- Run. If you are used to using commands, press the keyboard shortcut Win + R and type taskmgr.
- Search. Just type tasks in the general search engine. Consequently, you will see the access to this tool.
Uses of the Windows 11 task manager
Check why the application is frozen
As mentioned above, the most common and well-known reason to open the task manager is to end a frozen application. Simply right-click on the application to end task. What is less well known is a new feature called analyze. Through it, you can help identify the problem and avoid having to terminate the application by brute force. In this way we avoid a possible loss of data. It is available in the details tab.
Performance and resource monitor
This is where the Windows 11 task manager really shines. It not only provides an overview of all running processes and applications. It also has several tools to effectively monitor system performance and how resources are allocated. In addition, it includes a lot of information. Indeed, we have the resource monitor (RAM, processor…) that offers real-time data visualization. In addition, diagnostic information with logs that you can share for evaluations; network details and other resources of interest.
Restarting Windows Explorer
Occasionally, there are some parts of the operating system that do not respond. For example, taskbar, file explorer, Startup, etc. On the other hand, other applications continue to run correctly. Restarting the PC usually solves the problem. However, restarting the browser may be sufficient. The task manager has a special action for this. If you use it, it will finish the task and restart automatically.
Windows application management
The task manager is far from being the best window management tool. However, it has a couple of actions that may be useful. To access them, you have to click on the drop-down arrow next to the one you want to manage. The ones that work offer five actions, from bring to front, maximize, minimize or end the task.
Online search for suspicious processes
You may occasionally see unknown processes in the task manager. Most of them will be legitimate. But if you don’t trust it, you can check by clicking on the suspicious process and activating the online search. This will launch a browser search with the name of the application and the name of the process. Consequently, it will help you determine whether it is safe or malicious.
Additional columns for more details
By default, the new Windows 11 Task Manager only displays five columns when listing processes. Namely, Name, CPU, Memory, Disk and Network. While these are the most important, you can actually add up to six columns. To do so, simply right-click in the header area. All of them can be useful in the right situation. Particularly, the process name. This is because it makes it easier to detect suspicious applications by their process name.
Switches between values and percentages
When browsing the process list, the CPU column may show percentages. However, in the other three default columns you can change them to absolute values, more useful in some situations. Simply right-click on any process. Then go to the resources’ submenu, and you can switch between them.
Discover the open application file
Occasionally, it is complicated to know the installation location of a particular program. The file explorer is the general option. However, if the application is in use, from the task manager you can access it in record time. Simply click on any process and select open file location. This will take you directly to the folder containing the executable file of the process. Works for applications, background processes and Windows processes. Fast and convenient.
Start the command prompt directly
In the task manager, you can go to the File menu and select run a new task to start the run dialog box. Most people who use this tool know this because it is one of the ways to manually restart a frozen browser in previous versions of Windows. What not everyone knows is that you can access the Windows Console in the same way. To do this by simply holding down the Control key. Very useful.
Starting the System Configurator
In Windows 11, if you run the msconfig command to configure the system, you will see that the startup function has been moved to the task manager. This is the tool that allows us to configure the applications that will start at startup. The tool provides information on the impact of each application on system performance. Additionally, it allows you to disable them on startup. If your PC is slow to boot or runs slower than usual, disable all non-essential applications/services from startup.
Okay, so we have seen the 10 most useful features of the Windows 11 task manager. You may have thought that its only use was to force the closing of frozen apps. However, you can see that this is not the case. Its usefulness goes far beyond that. See you later!
