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How to open the task manager in Windows 10 and 11

There are many ways to do it.
By
July 1, 2022

Windows is great at letting users multitask, and one of the reasons why it is great is its Task Manager. It lets you manage all running programs, and kill the programs that are causing issues. The Windows Task Manager simple to use, and easy to summon. Here’s how to open the Task Manager in Windows 10 and 11.

Read more: How to install Windows 11

QUICK ANSWER

To open the Task Manager on Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. You can also click Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and click Task Manager. Other ways to open the Task Manager are to search for it in Windows Search, or right-click the taskbar and click Task Manager.


How to open the Task Manager in Windows

There are a few quick ways to open the Task Manager in Windows 10 and 11. We’ve listed them here in order of ease.

Using the keyboard shortcut

Windows task manager GINA screen
Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority

This is the most straightforward method to open Task Manager in Windows 10 and 11. To open Task Manager with the keyboard shortcut:

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys at once.

There’s another way to open it which also uses a keyboard shortcut. This keyboard shortcut is actually more popular, but has an extra step.

  • Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys simultaneously.
  • Click Task Manager.

Windows 10 and 11 have different looks for the screen which has the Task Manager button, but both work the same way.

Using the Windows Search or Taskbar shortcut

Windows task manager search
Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority

Windows Search also lets you open the Task Manager. It’s a simple process.

  • Open Windows Search.
  • Type Task Manager in the search box.
  • Click on the first result, labeled Task Manager.

There is one more shortcut that you can access from nearby, and this one is great if your keyboard is not working.

  • Right-click the Taskbar.
  • Click Task Manager.
Windows task manager taskbar
Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority

That’s it. Those are all the ways to open the Task Manager on Windows. Some older versions of Windows 10 may also let you open it via the System menu in the Control Panel. You can also run it by pressing Windows + R, typing taskmgr, and pressing Enter.


Read more: Here’s how to stop the Windows 11 update

FAQs

Yes, Google Chrome has its own Task Manager, which can let you manage the elements within Chrome that may be causing performance issues. You can open it by clicking Shift + Esc.

For Windows, the in-built Task Manager is the best one you can get.

We’ve listed the best ways to open it, ordered by ease of use. You can try these steps in that order until the Task Manager opens.