Share this article
Improve this guide
Windows 11 New Task Manager: How to Get & Enable
Find out how to quickly access Task Manager on your device
10 min. read
Updated onMarch 29, 2024
updated onMarch 29, 2024
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Windows 11 comes with a new and improved Task Manager that shows you programs, processes, and services currently running on your computer.
You can easily monitor the performance of your device or close a program that isn’t responding using the Task Manager.
When compared to the old version, the Windows 11 version of the Task Manager does hold some potential to improve the speed of your computer. It now comes with a sidebar menu that includes more options.
The new Task Manager uses WinUI to match the latest Windows 11 design principles. It also comes with dark mode support and a new settings page that allows modifying the update speed of your device.
The new design is far from perfect. However, Microsoft is trying to address UI consistency issues in the operating system, and we can expect more improvements to show up in future builds.
All you need to know about Windows 11’s Task Manager
The Task Manager in Windows 11 is one of the best tools to identify troublesome apps and end their processes.
With the latest version of Windows 11, Microsoft is trying to explore a new and improved Task Manager.
The new version can display the same set of screens, such as Processes, Performance, App History, Startup Apps, Users, Details, and Services.
Nevertheless, there are a few noticeable changes. Below is a list of some new features that come in handy with the new Task Manager.
What is the shortcut key of Task Manager?
There are two sets of shortcut keys you can press to open the Task Manager directly on your device.
The first set of keys isCTRL+ALT+DEL. This set of keys is mainly used when your device encounters some bugs while performing a specific task and the screen freezes.
This combination allows the user to terminate the hung application and reboot the system if that doesn’t work.
However, you can also use this to access the Task Manager if required. Once you press these keys together, you’ll be redirected to theSecurity Options, from where you can access the Task Manager.
The second Task Manager shortcut of keys isCTRL+SHIFT+ESC. By pressing these keys altogether, the Task Manager will open directly.
How can I open Task Manager in Windows 11?
Opening the Task Manager in Windows is a very easy task. There are numerous ways to do so on your Windows 11 device.
1. Open Task Manager from Windows 11’s taskbar
-
Press theWindows+Xkeyboard shortcut.
-
The WinX menu will now open, also known as the Power menu.
-
Locate Task Manager in the list of options.
-
Click on it.
-
Task Manager is now opened on your screen.
One of the easiest ways to get to the Task Manager in Windows 11 is via right-clicking on the taskbar, and then selecting the tool from the WinX menu.
This is simple and can be done at any time on your PC, regardless of what programs you have opened.
2. Using a Run command
3. Create a Desktop Shortcut for Task Manager
4. By running a command in Command Prompt
Click onStart, search forCommand Promptand selectOpen.Typetaskmgrand hitEnter.The Task Manager will now open.
5. From the Control Panel
6. Using the Settings app
7. Using Windows Terminal
8. Using the Start menu
9. Using Windows Powershell
How do I get Task Manager on my Taskbar Windows 11?
If you were wondering how to use Quick Launch in Windows 11, the answer is you can’t.
Unfortunately, Quick Launch is not available in Windows 11 so the closest thing you can get to that function is to add Task Manager.
So, here’s a quick way to add Task Manager on your Taskbar in Windows 11:
You can also open the Task Manager using its executable file called Taskmgr.exe. This exe file is present in the drive where your Windows is installed. Here is how you can open the Task Manager in a folder:
How do I enable Task Manager permanently?
Why is my Task Manager not showing?
The Task Manager needs to function properly as it monitors how your system’s resources are being utilized.
But recently, many of our readers have complained that Task Manager is not showing or not working in Windows 11.
As Task Manager is an important utility tool, it’s essential to fix it. Below are some troubleshooting methods to help you fix the problem:
This error can also occur due to the presence of corrupted files on your system. Run an SFC or System File Checker scan to get rid of these corrupted files. Besides that, you can give a try toa specialized toolthat will scan your system and fix any errors related to corrupted system files.
System image corruptions are also known to cause issues like these. Run a DISM Scan to repair any system image corruptions on your device.
Thethird-party antivirus softwareinstalled on your device can also cause this issue. Disable any antivirus software installed on your device and check if the Task Manager starts running.
If disabling the antivirus didn’t work, uninstall it temporarily and check for the same.
This error can also occur due to a lack of access permissions. To fix this, switch the user account using the admin profile.
Several users complain aboutcorrupt user profiles in Windows 11. Rest assured that our guide shows you what to do in case that happens.
How do I restore Task Manager tasks?
There isn’t any direct method to reset Task Manager to its default settings. Deleting the TaskManager key in the registry editor will make it run in compact mode.
Does Windows 11 have a dark-mode Task Manager?
Similar to other Microsoft components that are being updated the new Task Manager is getting a new design as well as dark mode support. This redesign was offered to the app with the Insider build 22538.
This new re-designed version of Task Manager follows the same design guidelines as Windows 11 does.
However, the dark Task Manager Windows 11 is still under testing and sometimes can cause the application to crash.
Switching todark mode in Windows 11brings only cosmetic changes. It won’t affect the performance of your device in any way and could be disabled anytime.
How do I bring up Task Manager in Remote desktop?
While navigating to a Windows device remotely there are a variety of things you can perform including launching the Task Manager. Using the Task Manager is easy on a remote system.
You can open the Task Manager directly by pressing theCTRL+SHIFT+ESCkeys on a remote system. Also you can use any of the steps mentioned above to do the same.
What are the most common Task Manager issues?
Despite being the best Windows performance monitoring utility, the Task Manager can still encounter some problems.
Below is a list of some common issues faced by the Task Manager:
If you are also facing any of these issues read our post onhow to fix the Task Manager on Windows 11.
What to expect from the redesigned Windows 11 Task Manager?
As we wrote above, the redesigned Windows 11 Task Manager is still in its early stages of development. So it doesn’t contain many modern design changes at the moment.
Many more changes are expected to come as Microsoft is bringing back the Eco mode as Efficiency mode.
However, it will be somehow limited, and users can only apply the Efficiency mode to a single process and not to the entire group.
Well, this was all about Task Manager in Windows 11. We hope the steps mentioned were able to help you.
You might also be interested in our article onhow to open Task Manager when it’s disabled by the Administrator.
If you still have any issues or want to make any suggestions, do let us know in the comments below.
More about the topics:Task Manager,Windows 11
Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts.
Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you’ll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a tech enthusiast who tackles mobility, privacy, and networking in easy-to follow guides for everyone.
