Table of contents
- What Task Manager is and what it does
- How to Open Task Manager on Windows
- How to read processes in Task Manager
- How to Open Task Manager on Mac
- Advanced use of Task Manager
- After opening Task Manager
- Task Manager and cyber security
Understanding how to open Task Manager is one of the most essential skills for anyone who uses a computer, whether at home or at work. This tool known as Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on macOS allows you to view running processes, check CPU and memory usage, and close frozen programs. Knowing how to open Task Manager on Mac or Windows can make the difference between a slow computer and an efficient one.
In this guide, we’ll explain in detail how to open Task Manager in Windows, which keyboard shortcuts to use, how to right-click to access the main functions quickly, and how to manage each running process. We’ll also look at the Mac equivalent, explaining how to open Task Manager on Mac and use the Activity Monitor tool.
What Task Manager is and what it does
Task Manager is a built-in application in the Windows operating system that displays a list of all active processes, background programs, system services, and the computer’s real-time performance. It’s an essential tool for diagnosing problems, closing unresponsive apps, and monitoring running processes.
Each process displayed in Task Manager represents a system activity: it could be an open program, an automatic update, a system service, or background software. Through Task Manager, you can identify suspicious processes, check CPU and RAM usage, and analyze consumed resources.
On macOS, the equivalent tool is Activity Monitor, which provides various analytical options such as energy consumption, disk usage, network activity, and memory management.
How to Open Task Manager on Windows
There are several ways to open Task Manager in Windows, depending on the version of the operating system and your personal preferences. Below are the fastest methods.
1. Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Esc
The quickest way is to use the keyboard shortcut:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Pressing these keys simultaneously opens the Windows Task Manager immediately, displaying the window with all active processes.
From here, you can view each process, see which application uses the most resources, and close any program that isn’t responding.
2. Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + Del
Another common shortcut is to press Ctrl + Alt + Del.
A blue screen will appear with several options: “Lock”, “Switch user”, “Sign out”, “Task Manager”.
Just click on the “Task Manager” button to open it.
3. Right-click the taskbar
A classic method is to right-click on the taskbar (at the bottom of the screen, where open windows appear).
From the context menu, select “Task Manager”, and you’re done.
4. Using the Run window
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type taskmgr and then press Enter.
This option is particularly useful for those who prefer using text commands.
5. From the Start Menu or Search bar
In the Windows search bar, type “Task Manager” or “Gestione attività”.
When it appears in the results, double-click it to open.
How to read processes in Task Manager
After opening Task Manager, the window shows several tabs: “Processes”, “Performance”, “App history”, “Startup”, “Users”, “Details”, and “Services”.
The Processes tab lists all active processes and background processes. Here, you can sort by CPU, memory, or disk usage to identify bottlenecks.
Example
If a program is using 90% of the CPU, you can right-click it and choose “End task”.
It’s also useful to check background processes, which can slow down the system without being visible.
How to Open Task Manager on Mac
Many users wonder how to open Task Manager on Mac, but on macOS, the equivalent is called Activity Monitor.
1. Open Activity Monitor from Finder
Open Finder, then go to “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Activity Monitor”.
With a double-click on the icon, the app will open and show a list of all running processes.
2. Use Spotlight
Press the keyboard shortcut Cmd + Space to open Spotlight, type “Activity Monitor”, and press Enter.
This is the fastest way to open Task Manager on Mac.
3. From the Dock or Launchpad
You can also add the Activity Monitor icon to your Dock for quicker access.
Once opened, you’ll see each process divided by CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network usage.
Advanced use of Task Manager
In addition to closing frozen applications, the Windows Task Manager allows you to:
- Analyze CPU, GPU, and RAM performance;
- Manage startup programs that run automatically;
- View active system services;
- Identify suspicious or malicious processes.
It’s a valuable tool for fixing slow performance, software conflicts, or overheating issues.
On Mac, Activity Monitor offers detailed graphs showing CPU and memory usage, allowing you to identify which apps consume the most resources.
After opening Task Manager
Once you’ve learned how to open Task Manager, you can use it to optimize your computer’s performance.
For example:
- Check which programs start automatically at boot and disable unnecessary ones;
- Identify background processes that consume resources;
- Monitor each process in real time to prevent system crashes.
Keep in mind that terminating an essential system process can cause instability, so close only the applications you recognize.
Task Manager and cyber security
Task Manager can also be a powerful ally for cyber security.
Many viruses and trojans disguise themselves as legitimate processes. By reviewing the list of all processes, you can spot suspicious activity.
If you notice an unfamiliar name or a process that consumes excessive resources without reason, run an antivirus scan immediately.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to open Task Manager on Windows and Mac, you can easily check running processes, identify system issues, and improve your computer’s performance.
With just a few clicks or a keyboard shortcut, you can open the process manager, monitor your resources, and maintain the stability of your operating system.
