How to Use Windows 10 Task Manager

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Windows 10Task ManagerSystemProcessResource ManagementPerformanceUtilitiesMonitoringApplicationsTroubleshooting

The Windows 10 Task Manager is an incredibly useful system monitor program that provides detailed information about the programs and processes running on your computer. Whether you're troubleshooting a computer problem, determining why your PC is running slowly, or simply want to keep an eye on resource usage, the Task Manager has the tools you need. In this comprehensive guide, we'll discuss in depth how you can effectively use the Windows 10 Task Manager, explore each tab it offers and understand the information it provides. We'll provide clear step-by-step instructions, examples, and cover frequently asked questions. Let's begin our journey through the complex workings of this tool.

Opening the windows 10 task manager

There are several ways to open the Windows 10 Task Manager. Here are the most common ways:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously on your keyboard. This is the fastest and most direct way to open Task Manager.
• Right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select “Task Manager” from the context menu.
• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and then select "Task Manager" from the options.
• Type “task manager” in the Windows search bar and press Enter.

Task manager interface

Once the Task Manager opens, you will see a simple interface if you are doing this for the first time. The Task Manager can work in two different views: Compact and Detailed view. Initially, you may see the Compact view with a list of open applications and the option to end any task. To see more details, click on “More details” at the bottom left.

Tab overview

In detailed view, Task Manager has several tabs, each of which provides specific information about the state of your system:

1. Processes: Lists all applications and background processes running on your machine.
2. Performance: Displays real-time information about CPU, memory, disk, network, and GPU usage.
3. App History: Shows statistics on your app usage over time.
4. Startup: Manages the programs that launch automatically when Windows starts.
5. Users: Details of resource usage by each signed-in user on the computer.
6. Details: Provides more detailed information about running processes.
7. Services: Shows the Windows services running on your machine.

Understanding each tab

Processes tab

The Processes tab is where you can see all running applications and background processes. Here's what you'll find:

• Name: The name of the application or process. This can be expanded to show subtasks by clicking the arrow next to it.
• CPU: Shows the percentage of CPU usage by each process.
• Memory: Shows the amount of RAM being used by each process.
• Disk: Displays the percentage of your disk drive usage.
• Network: You can view network usage information, usually in Mbps.
• GPU: If applicable, this shows the percentage of GPU usage per process.

You can end a process by selecting it, then clicking "End task" at the bottom right. Be careful when ending tasks; ending important system processes can affect the stability of your computer.

Performance tab

The Performance tab is where you can get a real-time view of your computer's resource usage. This section provides graphs and statistics for:

• CPU: Displays CPU usage with a graph and displays information such as speed, cores, logical processors, and uptime.
• Memory: Shows memory usage, total available memory, cached memory, and more.
• Disk: Displays read/write speed, disk usage percentage, disk model, and capacity.
• Ethernet/Wi-Fi: Provides information about network usage and speed.
• GPU: If you have a dedicated graphics card, this section gives details about GPU usage and memory.

Use this tab to identify any unusual spikes or high usage that may be slowing down your computer.

App history tab

The App History tab records the resource usage of apps over a certain period of time. This is especially useful for metered internet connections as it helps monitor how much data each app has used.

• Name: Name of the application.
• CPU Time: Total CPU time used by the app.
• Network: Data consumption over a given period.
• Metered networks: Data usage exclusively on metered connections.

Startup tab

The Startup tab is essential for optimizing boot time. It lists all the applications configured to start when Windows boots and allows you to enable or disable them. Pay attention to the "Startup Impact" column, which indicates how much each app affects startup time (low, medium, high).

Disabling non-essential programs can improve boot speed and overall system performance. To disable a startup program, select it and click "Disable" at the bottom right.

User tab

On the Users tab, you see all users currently signed in to the computer along with their resource usage. This is useful in a multi-user environment to determine which user is using the most resources.

• Shows statistics on usage of each parameter by all users: CPU, Memory, Disk, Network.

You can expand them to see the processes running by each user, and end any tasks if necessary.

Details tab

The Details tab provides in-depth information on all running processes. This tab provides the same detailed information as the Processes tab, but adds some additional information:

• PID (Process ID): Numeric identifier for the process.
• Status: This indicates whether the process is running, suspended, or not responding.
• Session ID: Shows the session ID associated with the process.
• Username: Indicates the user account running the process.

Advanced users can use this information for performance tuning and troubleshooting. This is also the place to change the priority of a process by right-clicking on it, although changing it requires caution.

Services tab

The Services tab displays all Windows services, and their status is either "Running" or "Stopped". You can manage them as follows:

• PID: The process ID associated with the service.
• Description: A brief description of the service.
• Group: The group to which the service belongs, if any.

You can start or stop a service by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate option. Be careful, as some services are vital to system operation.

Common task manager scenarios and tips

How to identify resource-consuming programs

When your PC is slow, use the Processes or Performance tab to identify resource-intensive programs. See:

• Processes with a high percentage of CPU, memory, or disk usage.
• View patterns over time through the App History tab.

Killing unnecessary background processes can free up resources, but make sure they aren’t redundant.

Intelligently managing startup programs

To improve performance, reduce the number of startup programs. This helps:

• Reducing boot time.
• Reducing the load on CPU and memory immediately after boot.

Consider controlling unnecessary apps in the Startup tab to keep performance at its best.

Monitoring application network usage

Use the App History tab to monitor network usage, especially under metered connections. This helps control data usage costs and optimize bandwidth.

Frequently asked questions

How do I open Task Manager on a crashed PC?

If your PC is not responding, try pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Delete. The latter option provides access to the Task Manager by selecting it from the menu.

Why is Task Manager showing high CPU usage?

High CPU usage can be caused by too many processes demanding CPU power. Check the Processes tab for apps with abnormally high CPU percentages and consider ending them.

What is the safest way to close a program via Task Manager?

To safely close a program, click on it under the Processes tab and select "End task". Always make sure the process is not needed for system stability before proceeding.

Conclusion

Mastery of the Windows 10 Task Manager can substantially enhance your computer management skills. By understanding how to interpret and respond to the data it provides, you can diagnose problems, manage resources, and ensure your PC is running efficiently. Use Task Manager responsibly, and you'll find it's an invaluable tool in your computing arsenal. Whether you're a casual user looking to free up system resources or a professional managing multiple processes, Task Manager exists to provide the information and control you need.

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