The most famous way to control the operation of programs, services, processes in the Windows environment is to use the task manager, a system utility utility that is present in all versions of the operating system from Microsoft. With its help, you can perform a large list of tasks – start processes, end the execution of programs, monitor memory and CPU load. Traditionally, with the advent of new versions of Windows, changes were made to this process manager, but they were mainly related to expanding the additional capabilities of the utility. The basic functionality remains intrinsically unchanged. The most significant changes can be observed in Windows 8, but this concerns mainly the program interface.
The approach to the placement of the utility has not changed either, so the question of where the task manager is located on the disk of your PC always has the same answer. The “Applications”, “Processes” and “Performance” tabs are present in all versions of the manager. The first is responsible for monitoring running user programs. The “Processes” tab shows the system components of the operating system, as well as the components of user programs present in the “Programs” window (there may be many of them, or there may be one module).
Later, the “Services” tab was added, where even smaller components are collected that are children in relation to the running processes. Some of them may be active, running, others – stopped. Programs and processes can be disabled (unloaded from memory), such operations are not possible with services, but they can be stopped or passed to the parent process. The “Performance” tab shows the processor and memory load. There is also a button that is responsible for monitoring computer resources. DZ also allows you to monitor network activity and manage PC users. In a word, if something is wrong with the computer, it is the DZ that is the diagnostic tool that is used in the first place. Many users know the hotkeys for calling the dispatcher in Windows, and it is really very simple and fast.But there are also alternative ways to call the utility, and there are about a dozen of them. Today we will get acquainted with all these methods.
And let’s start with the hotkeys – with frequent use, they can be easily remembered.
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Ctrl + Alt + Del
Perhaps, everyone knows this combination of hotkeys for calling the task manager (manager) in Windows. At least, PC users with experience – after all, for a long time it led directly to the launch of the utility. But, starting with the Vista version, the developers decided to change the purpose of the combination, and it began to be used to launch the so-called security screen, one of the options of which is the task manager.
Despite the presence of other combinations that make it possible to instantly launch the process manager, many users use this one in the old fashioned way, although it cannot be called the most convenient for the reasons described above – an extra click will be required, it is also possible to change the monitor mode, which may annoy individual users.
In addition to launching the task manager, among the other available security screen options, you can note the forced computer lock, the ability to change the user, change the password and log off. So the knowledge of this combination will not be superfluous.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
This keyboard shortcut allows you to open the Task Manager in Windows without the need to make an additional selection, that is, directly. So this method can be called more preferable. In addition, this combination is easier to remember, because all the keys are located one above the other and, if desired, you can drown them with the fingers of one hand (left-handers understand what this is about, it is more convenient for right-handers to use the right control keys plus Esc).
We also mention one more advantage of this particular combination: it can be used to launch the process manager, even if you are working on a remote desktop, as well as on a virtual machine. At the same time, the combination Ctrl + Alt + Del always affects only the local computer.
Windows + X
Users who have switched to Windows 8 or migrated to the top ten can call the task manager through the power user menu, launched by the Win + X combination. This innovation is designed to launch the Power User Menu, within which you can get instant access to several of the most common operating system tools systems. In addition to the task manager, through this menu you can enter the “Control Panel”, start the “Run” console or the command line input panel.
A shorter combination is easier to get used to and easier to remember, especially if it is used often. And since the available set of tools consists of the necessary and useful tools that are not so rarely used, then for Windows 8/10 users this method can be recommended as the most optimal.
Using the taskbar
By and large, all computer users can be divided into two overlapping categories: those who prefer to work with the keyboard (the need to position the mouse tires them) and those who prefer using the mouse, for whom clicking on the keyboard buttons is tedious.
The first two ways to launch Task Manager target the first category.
Calling the process manager through the taskbar (the lower bar on the monitor screen) is more suitable for the second category of users. Knowledge of this method will also come in handy in the case when the keyboard does not work, or you simply forgot the required combination of hot keys.
The process of starting the remote control itself is extremely simple and quick: you just need to right-click on the free right area of the taskbar, for example, near the time bar. A context menu appears with a list of functions used to manage the desktop windows and this panel. But there is also the item we need to start the process manager.
Many users use the Start menu to launch programs that are not on the desktop. And in the case when many windows are open and they occupy the part of the screen on which the icon of the desired application is located, instead of minimizing these windows, you can also use the “Start” button. Since the method works for all versions of Windows, it is deservedly considered one of the most popular. True, it is considered convenient only for calling those programs that are located directly on the left panel (or right, if we are talking about the demanded tools of the operating system).
To open the task manager on your personal computer using the Start menu, you need to click on this button, select the All Programs item, and in it, the Standard – Utility tabs. The last folder contains the required utility utility.
The task will be easier if you use this tool very often – then there is a chance that the process manager icon will appear at the top of the left panel. True, this option is unlikely if you are not a system administrator – there are always programs that are launched much more often.
Launching via the “Run” console
So, you don’t remember the hotkey combinations, you don’t want to scroll through the list of programs with the mouse either. What can you advise in this case?
One alternative is to invoke the Task Manager from the command line, or the Run console. It is located in the panel called by the “Start” button (lower window with a magnifying glass icon). However, this is a search console, but the utility can be launched here as well. And scientifically, the “Run” console is launched by the Windows + R combination. In both cases, in the input window, type the taskmgr command and confirm your actions by pressing Enter. The disadvantage of this method is obvious – instead of memorizing the hotkeys, you need to remember the abbreviated name of the utility, and even type it by hand with the risk of making a mistake. But those who are used to working with the command line prefer this method (mostly Linux adherents or those who still remember the days of the absence of a graphical interface).
Running exe file through explorer
There are situations when the “Task Manager” item in the “System Tools” menu is missing. The reasons may be different, it is not included in our plans to describe them. Let us also make the assumption that all other methods do not suit us either. It sounds, of course, incredible, and yet …
The good thing is that the location of the utility does not change with the change of the operating system version. The utility can always be found in the System32 folder located in the Windows system directory. To start the process manager in this way, it is enough to go through the explorer (desktop shortcut “My Computer” or simply “Computer”) or any other file manager to enter this folder, find the file taskmgr.exe and double-click on it.
Yes, the method is not the most convenient, but knowing it may come in handy someday.
Create a utility shortcut on the taskbar
All of the above methods are good in their own way, but if you run the process manager often, you may get tired of performing such manipulations, even if they are simple. It turns out that there is a way that does not require memorizing the necessary actions at all. You can simply place the utility in the taskbar, and then finding and launching the task manager will be as easy as shelling pears – just click on the corresponding tab. This is the easiest way to achieve what you want, if it becomes necessary to assess what programs and processes are running.
It is very easy to pin the process control utility to the taskbar – launch it once in any known way, right-click on the utility icon in the panel and select the “Pin program to taskbar” option. There is only one drawback of this method – the manager will take up free space on the taskbar. Some may not like this.
Then you can offer a slightly less convenient option – to pin the dispatcher shortcut to the Start menu. This can be done by dragging the program icon from the “System” folder to the right window or to the top of the list of applications.
Creating a remote sensing shortcut on the desktop
A pinned shortcut to the taskbar is a great solution, but due to the above reasons, it is not suitable for everyone. For many, this panel is already busy with other frequently used programs. On the desktop, the place is not an example anymore, so an alternative way is to put the utility shortcut there. This can be done in the standard way – by right-clicking on a place free of icons, selecting the “Create” item and specifying “Shortcut” as an option.
It remains to indicate where the program to run is located. We type in the field called “Specify the location of the object”, the line <drive name>: Windows System32 taskmgr.exe. Instead of <drive name>, specify the letter of the partition on which the operating system is installed, usually with.
After clicking the “Next” button, give the shortcut a name with which the icon will be signed, and click on the “Finish” button. Now you will know that to start the remote sensing you do not need to search for it – it will always be on your desktop.
So, we got acquainted with almost all possible ways to launch the process manager. Some of them are specific, others can be used to run any other program. If one of the methods does not work for you – describe the problem in the comments, we will definitely find the cause and help you fix it.