How to Open Task Manager On Windows, Mac and Chromebook

This tutorial includes various stepwise methods to explain How to Open Task Manager on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook:

Everyone using a computer opens the task manager every now and then.

Your PC is slow, you want to close a program that has stopped responding; you want to optimize your system, just a couple of clicks, and everything is done.

In this article, we are going to tell you how to open a task manager on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook. But before that let’s understand what exactly is the Task Manager.

Let us begin!

Understanding Task Manager

Task Manager gives you information about the applications, services, and programs that are currently running on your system. It also tells you about the performance of your computer along with its memory information and network activity. You can use the Task Manager to end the processes, adjust the priorities, and even shut down Windows.

Let us see different methods to understand how to open task manager on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.

How To Open Task Manager On Windows 10

Opening a task manager isn’t a complicated task, but what if you are unable to open it the way you usually do.

Enlisted below are the methods showing how to open the task manager in Windows:

#1) Ctrl+Alt+Delete

This is the most common method of opening the Task Manager in Windows. Until Windows Vista came into play, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete would open the task manager directly. But after Vista, it takes you to the Windows Security screen, where, among many things, you can choose to run your task manager.

#2) Ctrl+Shift+Esc

This is yet another quick way of bringing up the Task Manager, especially if you are using a remote desktop or working inside a virtual machine. Ctrl+Shift+Del will signal your local machine in such cases instead of the machine you are trying to open the Task Manager on.

#3) Windows+X

By pressing the Windows Icon key and X key, you can access the power user menu on both Windows 8 and 10. From here, you can access all kinds of utilities, that includes Task Manager as well.

#4) Right-Click The Taskbar

Another quick way of opening the Task Manager in Windows is right-clicking anywhere on the taskbar. Two clicks, one on the taskbar and another on the Task Manager option, and you will be in the Task Manager in no time.

#5) Run “taskmgr”

Taskmgr.exe is the executable file for Task Manager. You can either type it in the search box of the Start menu and select Task Manager from the results,

Or, launch the Run command, type taskmgr, and hit enter. This will take you directly to the Task Manager.

#6) Browse To taskmgr.exe In File Explorer

Well, this is one method we don’t prefer, the longest route to the Task Manager. But it can come in handy in case nothing else works, the worst-case scenario you know.

Follow these steps: 

• Open File Explorer
• Go to the C Drive
• Select Windows

• Go to System32

• Select Task Manager.

#7) Pin To Taskbar

One of the easiest ways to launch the Task Manager is to pin it to the taskbar.

Follow the steps below:

• Use any method to open the Task Manager.
• Right-click on the Task Manager icon at your taskbar.
• Select Pin this program to taskbar.

Now you can easily open your Task Manager from your taskbar anytime you want.

#8) Create Shortcut On Your Desktop

You can also create a shortcut for the Task manager on your Desktop.

Follow these steps:

• Right-click on any empty space on your desktop
• Select New
• Click on Shortcut

• In the next window, type the location of the task manager which is ‘C:\Windows\System32’
• Click Next
• Type the name of the new shortcut
• Click Finish

You can now access your task manager from your desktop.

#9) Use Command Prompt Or PowerShell

You can also use the Command Prompt or PowerShell to open the Task Manager.

Follow the steps below:

• Press the Windows icon key on your keyboard + R
• Type cmd

• Hit Enter
• Type taskmgr

• Hit Enter

To use Powershell,

• Type Powershell in the Windows search box and select Windows Powershell.

• Click on PowerShell to launch it.
• Type taskmgr

• Hit Enter

You will enter the Task Manager menu.

Recommended Reading =>> CMD Commands for Windows 10

How To Open Task Manager On Mac

Mac runs a lot smoother and better than its other computer counterparts, but you can’t deny that you need Task Manager on Mac at times. It comes preloaded with an OSX Task Manager which is actually called Activity Monitor.

Just like the Windows Task Manager, Mac’s Activity Manager shows the following:

• The list of the processes that are taking up your Mac’s CPU currently.
• The percentage of power they are consuming.
• How long they have been running for.
• How much RAM every process is taking up.
• The processes draining your battery.
• The amount of data received and sent by every installed app.
• Cache, if you are using macOS earlier than High Sierra.

There are no keyboard shortcuts to open Activity Manager on Mac, however, launching it is quite simple.

Different methods are enlisted below:

#1) From Spotlight

• Press + Space to launch Spotlight, or click on the magnifying glass icon.

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• Type Activity Manager

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• Select Activity Manager from the result.
• Hit Enter or click on it.

#2) From Finder

• Click on Finder

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• Go to the applications on the sidebar.

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• Click on Utilities

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• Double click on the Activity Monitor.

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#3) From Dock

You can set up your Activity Manager in your Dock for easy one-click access. Use one of the above two methods to launch the Activity Manager and when it is active,

• Right-click on the Activity Monitor icon in your Dock
• Click on Options
• Select Keep in Dock

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Secret Tip# Command-Option-Escape is the Control-Alt-Delete of Mac.

How To Open Task Manager In Chromebook

Enlisted below methods show how to open Task Manager in Chromebook:

#1) Shift + ESC

• Click the Menu button

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• Select More Tools
• Click on Task Manager

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#2) Search+Esc

This is perhaps the easiest way to launch Task manager in Chromebook. Simply press the search and Escape key together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) How to open Task Manager in Windows 10?

Answer: CTRL+ALT+DEL is the easiest way to open Task Manager in Windows 10. When you press these three keys together on your keyboard, the options screen will open. Click on Task Manager to open it.

Q #2) My Task Manager won’t open from keyboard shortcuts. Suggest a different method.

Answer: If you are unable to open the Task Manager from the keyboard shortcuts, you can use the Run or Command prompt to launch it.

Q #3) Is there a Task Manager on my Android phone?

Answer: There is no specific task manager on Android phones. You can view all the open apps on your phone and close them separately.

Q #4) How to know which apps are using my CPU?

Answer: Launch the Task Manager. There you will see the CPU usage for all applications. In Windows 10, when you open the Task Manager, click on More Details to view the CPU usage for the apps.

Q #5) How do I kill an app in Task Manager?

Answer: Just click on the app you want to kill to select it and then go to the bottom right corner of the Task Manager window and click on End Task.

Also Read =>> Best PC Repair Tool

Conclusion

Task Manager is one of the most commonly used apps on a system. In case you are unable to open the Task Manager from the shortcuts you know, with the help of this article, you can try different methods to open it. Whether it’s Windows, macOS, or Chromebook, you can now access it easily, anytime.