[Tip] How to Open Task Manager in Windows 11

This article will help you in opening Task Manager in Windows 11 and all previous Windows versions such as Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Vista, XP, etc. We’ll talk about different ways to launch Task Manager in Windows 11 since the option to open Task Manager is no longer available in Taskbar context menu.

The latest operating system from Microsoft i.e. Windows 11 comes with a brand new redesigned Taskbar which is known as Centered Taskbar because it displays all buttons and icons in the center. The new Taskbar has been developed from scratch and lacks many essential features.

One of the limitations or restrictions present in Windows 11 Taskbar is the highly restricted context menu. If you right-click on Taskbar in Windows 11, you get only one option in the context menu which is “Taskbar Settings”. This option opens Settings page to customize a few basic features of Taskbar such as adding/removing buttons, move the Taskbar to left, etc.

Since all other options have been removed (or not yet implemented) in Windows 11 Taskbar context menu, many users are unable to access “Open Task Manager” option which was present in previous Windows versions.

I have received many emails from readers asking about various questions related to the missing Task Manager such as what happened to Task Manager in Windows 11? How to access Task Manager in Windows 11? etc.

In this tutorial, we’ll discuss various methods to launch or open Task Manager in Windows 11. These methods will also work in older versions of Windows.

What is Task Manager in Windows Operating System?

Task Manager is an advanced tool present in all versions of Windows. It has been developed for advanced users or experts to manage running programs and services in their computer system.

You can check which programs and services are running in Windows, how much RAM, CPU, HDD space, etc are being used by the OS. You can also terminate or kill running programs and services using Task Manager. New versions of Windows also allow users to manage startup programs using Task Manager.

Related: [Tip] How to Manage Startup Apps and Programs in Windows

Most of the times we use Task Manager to end not responding programs which are stuck and can’t be closed using their program windows. Sometimes we also use Task Manager to restart Windows Explorer as mentioned here.

Open Task Manager in Windows 11 Using Shortcut Key

This is the best, quickest, highly used and my favorite method to open Task Manager. It’ll work in all Windows versions.

Windows comes with a built-in shortcut key (or hotkey) to quickly open Task Manager tool. The shortcut key is Ctrl+Shift+Esc. If you are visiting this website since long time, you might be already aware of this keyboard shortcut as we have used it in many tutorials.

Whenever you need to open Task Manager, just press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys together on your keyboard and Task Manager will immediately appear on your computer screen.

Open Task Manager in Windows 11 Using WIN+X Menu

If you don’t want to use keyboard shortcut, you can use your computer mouse to open Task Manager in Windows 11.

Windows 11 comes with a hidden secret Menu which is known by various names such as WIN+X Menu, Power User Menu, Mini Start Menu, etc. You can access it by pressing WIN+X keys together or by right-clicking on the Start button.

PS: The WIN+X Menu is also present in Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10.

When you’ll right-click on the Start button, Windows 11 will display a secret menu containing lots of system tools shortcuts. You’ll find Task Manager present in the options list.

You can click on Task Manager option and it’ll immediately launch Task Manager in your Windows 11 device.

Open Task Manager in Windows 11 Using Command-Line

Task Manager is actually an executable similar to other programs and we can also launch it using its executable name.

The executable behind the Task Manager is taskmgr.exe so we can use this command to launch Task Manager in any Windows version.

You can open RUN dialog box by pressing WIN+R keys together or open Command Prompt (Windows Terminal) or use Windows Search and type taskmgr command.

Once you use taskmgr command, Windows will launch Task Manager tool for you.

Pin Task Manager Shortcut to Taskbar or Start Menu in Windows 11

You can also pin a shortcut icon of Task Manager to Start Menu or Taskbar in your Windows 11 device so that you can access Task Manager quickly and easily.

Open Start Menu and type taskmgr command. You’ll see options to pin the program to Start Menu and Taskbar.

You can click on these options and Windows 11 will pin Task Manager shortcut to your desired location.

Now you can open Task Manager any time using a single mouse click.

Launch Task Manager in Windows 11 Using Ctrl+Alt+Del Screen

If you are using computers since the good ol’ days of Windows XP or Windows 98, you might be very well aware of the most useful Ctrl+Alt+Del (CAD) screen. It allowed users to access various power options if their computer were not responding.

We can use the same screen to access and open Task Manager in Windows 11 as well as previous Windows versions.

Just press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys together and Windows will show the Power Options screen (also known as Security Screen) containing various options such as lock, sign out, switch user, change password, etc.

You’ll also see Task Manager option present on the screen. Click on the option and Windows will open Task Manager.

Access Task Manager in Windows 11 Using Windows Tools Folder

Windows 11 comes with a new “Windows Tools” folder which contains shortcuts to lots of useful and important system tools. You can also open Task Manager from Windows Tools folder.

Open Start Menu, click on “All Apps” button, scroll down to bottom and you’ll see “Windows Tools” present in programs list.

Click on Windows Tools shortcut and it’ll open the folder in File Explorer.

Now you can launch Task Manager as well as other system tools and programs using this folder.

PS: You can right-click on Task Manager icon and select “Create shortcut” option. It’ll put a direct shortcut of Task Manager on your Windows 11 Desktop.

Manually Create Direct Shortcut to Task Manager Yourself

If you want to create a shortcut to Task Manager manually, you can use the same taskmgr command mentioned above to create a shortcut for it.

Right-click on empty area on Desktop and select “New -> Shortcut“. Now use taskmgr command and finish the setup wizard.

It’ll create a direct shortcut to Task Manager on the Desktop. You can pin this shortcut to Start Menu or Taskbar as well.

Restore Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 to Bring Back Task Manager in Context Menu

You can also restore Windows 10 style old classic Taskbar in Windows 11 which will bring back the fully functional Taskbar with all missing options in the context menu.

Once you restore classic Taskbar in Windows 11, you’ll be able to access and open Task Manager from the right-click menu again.

Following tutorial will help you in restoring classic Taskbar in Windows 11:

[Tip] Restore Windows 10 Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 along with Classic Start Menu

Other Useful Tutorials Related to Task Manager in Windows

Don’t forget to check out following tutorials about Task Manager tool in Windows operating system:

Hidden Secret Hotkey to Reset Task Manager to Default Settings in Windows 10

[Windows 10 Tip] How to Always Open Task Manager Maximized

[Windows 10 Tip] Force Task Manager to Always Open in Your Desired Tab

Hidden Secret Trick to Open “Command Prompt” Window Instead of RUN Box Using New Task Option of Task Manager

Windows 8 and Later Allow You to Restart Explorer Using Task Manager