Task Manager: 10 Tips You Need to Know
The Windows Task Manager is one of the most familiar and iconic tools built into the operating system. Whether you’re keeping an eye on your CPU, tracking how much memory your apps are using, or simply looking to force-close something that’s frozen, it’s usually the first place people go when things aren’t quite right. But while many users only scratch the surface of what Task Manager can do, there’s actually a lot more power hidden within.
These ten tips are designed to help you get more out of Task Manager, whether you’re a casual user or someone who likes to dig a little deeper under the hood of your PC.
1. Launch Task Manager Like a Pro
You might already know about pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete to get to Task Manager, but there are faster, cleaner ways to launch it. Pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc will open it immediately, no need to go through another screen. If that feels awkward to do one-handed, you can also press Windows key + X to open the Power User menu, then hit the T key to launch it right away. These shortcuts save time and give you instant access when something’s not responding.
2. Trim the Startup Fat
Over time, it’s easy to accumulate apps that sneak their way into your system’s startup process. These background apps can slow down boot time and quietly consume resources. Task Manager’s Startup tab lets you take control of what runs when Windows starts. From here, you can see each app’s impact on system startup and disable anything you don’t truly need. It’s worth revisiting this from time to time, especially if your PC starts taking longer to boot than it used to.
3. Find Where an App Lives on Your PC
Sometimes you need to track down an app’s actual program files, maybe to uninstall it manually, check logs, or explore its installation folder. From the Processes tab, you can simply right-click any listed app and choose “Open file location.” This will instantly take you to the folder where that app is stored. It’s particularly helpful when something unfamiliar is running and you want to investigate further.
4. Restart Windows Explorer When Things Get Weird
If your taskbar disappears, the Start menu stops working, or File Explorer windows freeze, there’s a quick fix that doesn’t involve restarting your whole PC. Task Manager allows you to manually restart Windows Explorer. You’ll find it listed in the Processes tab. Just right-click on it and choose Restart. In most cases, this will resolve those glitchy behaviour issues in seconds, giving your desktop environment a fresh start without affecting open apps.
5. Shut Down Stubborn Programs Completely
When an app freezes, most people head straight to Task Manager to shut it down, but there’s more than one way to do it. Right-clicking on a running app in the Processes tab and selecting End Task usually works. But if the program is particularly stubborn, head to the Details tab, find the process associated with the app, right-click it, and choose End Process Tree. This shuts down not only the main app but any background processes it launched too, which is often what’s needed to fully stop it.
6. Adjust Priority for Demanding Apps
If you’re multitasking heavily or running performance-hungry software like video editors or games, Task Manager gives you the option to tell Windows which apps should get more of your system’s attention. In the Details tab, right-click an app and hover over Set Priority. You’ll be able to assign more or less CPU power to that specific task. Be cautious here, especially with the “Realtime” option, which can cause system instability. For most users, “Above Normal” is the sweet spot if you want to give an app a little boost.
7. See What’s Using Your Network in Real-Time
Whether you’re on a metered connection, trying to diagnose slow downloads, or just curious about what’s eating your bandwidth, Task Manager gives you a quick overview. Head to the Performance tab and select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection to view network usage at a glance. For a deeper dive, open the settings menu and launch Resource Monitor. There, under the Network tab, you’ll see which processes are sending and receiving data, and how much. It’s incredibly useful for tracking down mystery data usage.
8. Monitor Performance Like a Dashboard
If you ever want to keep an eye on your system’s live performance while you work, Task Manager can be turned into a mini dashboard. In the Performance tab, right-click on the graph of the component you’re monitoring, like the CPU or Memory, and choose Graph Summary View. This strips away all the extra clutter and leaves you with a clean, real-time graph. Combine it with the Always on Top setting in Task Manager’s preferences and you’ve got a neat overlay you can monitor while working, gaming, or testing software.
9. Use Efficiency Mode for Background Apps
Windows 11 introduced Efficiency Mode, and it’s a clever way to handle apps that are quietly draining your system in the background. From the Processes tab, right-click on any eligible app and select Efficiency Mode. This tells Windows to give it lower priority and restrict its resource usage. It’s a great tool for when you’ve got background tools like cloud sync apps or software updaters running while trying to focus on heavier tasks.
10. Learn the New Layout (and Bring Back the Old One If You Prefer)
Windows 11 redesigned Task Manager with a cleaner layout and left-hand sidebar. While the new design is more in line with modern Windows aesthetics, it might take some getting used to. If you prefer the old style, there are still ways to bring it back using the registry edit below but most users will find the new version is easier to navigate once you’re familiar with it. Over time, it’s likely that the modern layout will become the default, especially with Windows 12 on the horizon.
If you really can’t get on with the modern Task Manager in Windows 11 and prefer the older, more compact layout, there is a way to bring it back — though it does involve editing the Windows registry, so it’s something we only recommend if you’re confident with advanced settings. Before making any changes to the registry, always back it up first or create a restore point to avoid accidental system issues. To revert to the old Task Manager, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following command:
cppCopyreg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe"
After running this, restart your system or relaunch Task Manager to see the classic version. If you’re unsure or want to avoid the risk, it’s best to leave this alone or speak to an IT professional.
Final Thoughts from System Plus
Task Manager is a tool that often goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. But with a bit of exploration, it becomes clear that it’s much more than just a place to shut down frozen apps. It’s a live insight into how your PC is performing, what’s using your resources, and where improvements can be made.
At System Plus, we regularly show customers how to get more from their existing systems using built-in tools just like this one. Whether you’re troubleshooting slowdowns or just want to feel more confident using your device, we’re here to help.
If you’d like more tips or want help making your PC work better for you, feel free to get in touch, we’re always happy to share our knowledge.
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