Task Manager

This article is about the Windows NT utility. For a similar tool included in Windows 9x, see Tasks.

Task Manager is a utility that is used to kill unresponsive tasks on Windows NT operating systems as well as monitor the usage of system resources. It has been introduced in Windows NT 4.0, where it replaced several tools that provided similar functionality, including Task List. The application was initially written as a side project by Microsoft developer Dave Plummer, who later contributed the feature to the core operating system after being encouraged to do so by other coworkers.

It can be opened by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. It is also accessible from the Windows Security screen shown after pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete, although the keystroke opens the tool immediately on Windows XP with the new login screen enabled. Depending on the operating system version, the taskbar context menu or the Win + X menu also contain a command to open the utility.

Features
The Task Manager is intended to be used to kill non-responsive tasks or execute new tasks by selecting File > "New task (Run...)" (until Windows 7) or "Run new task" (since Windows 8), which launches a window similar to the Run dialog invoked by Win + R, but with an extra option to run the task as an administrator. When the dialog is invoked on the built-in Administrator or the hidden SYSTEM account or in safe mode, it displays a message that the task will be run as an administrator, instead of the optional checkbox.

When selecting Options > "Always on top" it overlays itself over all running windows, even when a new window has been launched. On some circumstances, this option is already enabled.

The Task Manager can also be used for checking performance. When selecting the Performance tab, it shows the utilization and amount of CPU, RAM, plugged disk drives, GPU and the current internet connection.

On the Users tab, it shows all currently available user accounts. It can also sign them off or disconnect when they are currently signed on.

The Version Reporter Applet can be directly invoked in Windows 7 and earlier by Help > "About Task Manager". With the Redesign in Windows 8, the Help menu has been completely removed, leaving only File, Options and View in the menu bar.

When Task Manager is running, an icon appears in the Systray. Clicking on it will switch Task Manager to the Performance tab.

History
It was implemented into the Windows NT systems starting with Windows NT 4.0. Since then, it hasn't seen much changes. Windows XP's Task Manager includes a "Shut Down" menu on the menu bar on some circumstances, having the option to lock the computer/workstation, shut down or restart it or set it into hibernation or sleep mode, as well as sign off the current user.

Task Manager gained a massive overhaul with Windows 8, resulting in some options being moved or renamed. For example, the Processes tab is now named Details and has been moved to the end of the tab selection and the Application tab is now named Processes. It comes also with a lightweight version of itself, which only shows running tasks (without Windows Explorer) and can be expanded to the normal Task Manager with the "More details" option located in the bottom left of the window. It also gained a new option to restart Windows Explorer (when shown on the Processes tab) by selecting the "Restart" button on the bottom right of the window (which is normally an "End Task" button) or right-clicking on Windows Explorer and selecting the Restart option.

The new Task Manager also introduced the Startup tab, which shows apps and services starting automatically with Windows, with the option to disable these. Task Manager inherited this option from the System Configuration tool.

Despite the changes introduced with Windows 8, Windows PE and Windows RE still include the older Task Manager.

With Windows 10 October 2020 Update, Task Manager gained an option to show the utilization and temperature of the GPU.