The fastest way to open Task Manager is to press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. You can also right-click the Start button and choose Task Manager, or press Ctrl+Alt+Del and pick it from the blue security screen. This works on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Task Manager is where Windows shows you everything that's running: the apps you can see, the background processes you can't, and how much processor, memory, disk and network each one is using. You open it to close a frozen program, find out why the fan is roaring or stop apps launching at startup. Here are all the ways in, and how to use it without breaking anything.
Five ways to open Task Manager
| Method | How | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Press all three keys together | Always the quickest |
| Start button | Right-click Start, choose Task Manager | You prefer the mouse |
| Ctrl+Alt+Del | Press, then choose Task Manager | The screen is frozen |
| Taskbar | Right-click an empty part of the taskbar | On recent Windows 11 versions |
| Run box | Windows key+R, type taskmgr, press Enter | Other routes are blocked |
Ctrl+Alt+Del is the one to remember when an app has frozen the whole screen. It takes you to a blue security screen that Windows keeps separate from your apps, so it usually responds even when nothing else does.
Close a frozen app
- Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
- If you see a small window with only a list of apps, click More details.
- On the Processes page, find the app. A frozen one often says Not responding.
- Select it and click End task, or right-click it and choose End task.
Try closing the app normally first, the way ASUS's support guide suggests. End task forces the app shut, and you'll lose anything you hadn't saved.
Find what's slowing your PC down
Click the CPU column header to sort the list with the busiest process at the top, then do the same with Memory. If one app sits near the top while you're not using it, that's your culprit. It's the quickest check when the PC feels slow, runs hot, the fan won't settle or the laptop battery drains faster than usual.
| Page | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Processes | Every running app and background process, with its CPU, memory, disk and network use |
| Performance | Live graphs for the processor, memory, drives, network and graphics card |
| App history | Which apps used the most resources over time |
| Startup apps | Programs that launch when you sign in, and how much they slow startup |
| Details and Services | Advanced lists for troubleshooting |
Stop apps opening at startup
This is the change that makes the biggest difference to a slow-starting PC. Open the Startup apps page (Startup on Windows 10), look at the Startup impact column, right-click anything you don't need straight away and choose Disable. Disabling doesn't uninstall the app; it just stops it opening by itself. Leave anything from your security software and your sound or touchpad drivers switched on.
What not to end
ASUS's advice is sensible: if a process isn't an app, for example a Windows process, don't force it to close. Ending things like Windows Explorer, Desktop Window Manager or a service you don't recognise can freeze the screen or force a restart. If you're unsure what something is, search its exact name before touching it. Ending Windows Explorer is the one exception people use on purpose: right-click it and choose Restart to fix a stuck taskbar or Start menu.
When Task Manager won't open
- Try each route in the table; one may work when another doesn't.
- Sign out and back in with Ctrl+Alt+Del, Sign out.
- On a work PC, your organisation may have blocked it. Ask IT.
- If none of this works, malware can disable Task Manager. Run a full security scan, ideally from Safe Mode.
For a scan, pick a reputable tool; my reviews of Bitdefender and Avast explain what each installs. If one specific app keeps hanging, the problem is usually in the app; my guide to Discord crashing on PC shows the usual fixes.
Task Manager on a Mac
There's no Task Manager on a Mac. The equivalent is Activity Monitor, and the Mac version of Ctrl+Alt+Del is Option-Command-Esc, which opens a Force Quit window.
Keep it handy
If you open Task Manager often, pin it: while it's open, right-click its taskbar icon and choose Pin to taskbar. You can also choose a default start page in Task Manager's settings, so it opens straight on Performance or Startup apps if those are what you check most.
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Read the Performance page
The Performance page is the quickest health check for a PC. Click CPU and you'll see a live graph of how busy the processor is; a line stuck near the top while you're doing nothing points to a background process. Memory shows how much is in use; if it's constantly near full, the PC will slow down as it swaps to the drive, and closing browser tabs is the fastest relief. The Disk graph pinned at the top often explains a PC that's slow for a few minutes after starting. The GPU section tells you which graphics card you have and how hard it's working, which is useful if a game stutters.
My verdict
Ctrl+Shift+Esc is the shortcut worth memorising, with Ctrl+Alt+Del as the backup when the screen is frozen. Sort by CPU and Memory to find the slow-down, disable startup apps you don't need, and leave Windows processes you don't recognise alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut to open Task Manager?
Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens it directly on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
How do I open Task Manager when my computer is frozen?
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and choose Task Manager from the blue screen.
How do I end a task that won't close?
Select it on the Processes page and click End task.
Is it safe to end processes in Task Manager?
It's safe for apps. Don't force close Windows processes you don't recognise.
How do I stop programs running at startup?
Open the Startup apps page, right-click a program and choose Disable.
