How to open and use Task Manager in Windows 11

Last updated: · By the DeskHowTo editorial team
Quick answer

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc (fastest), or Ctrl+Alt+Delete > Task Manager, or right-click Start > Task Manager.

To kill a frozen app: Processes tab > select app > End task. Use Performance for CPU/RAM/disk graphs and Startup apps to speed boot.

On this page

Windows 11 redesigned Task Manager with a left navigation rail; labels match below.

Open Task Manager and end a task

Open Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
  2. If you see a compact view, click the chevron / Mode toggle for full pages.

End a frozen app

  1. Open Processes.
  2. Select the app (expand the group if needed).
  3. Click End task.

See what uses resources

  1. Open Performance or click CPU/Memory column headers in Processes to sort.

Useful tabs

  • Processes: running apps and background processes.
  • Performance: live graphs.
  • App history / Startup apps / Users / Details / Services: deeper controls.

End task vs Restart Explorer

If the taskbar is broken, find Windows Explorer in Processes > Restart.

Frequently asked questions

Ctrl+Alt+Delete vs Ctrl+Shift+Esc?

Both work; Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens Task Manager directly.

Access denied ending a process?

Some system processes require admin or should not be killed.

Efficiency mode?

Windows 11 can limit background apps - available on some process entries.

Sources checked: Microsoft Windows support. Verified October 2026.