Task Manager is built into Windows and Mac — you don't need to read anything
Task Manager is a program that shows you what your computer is doing right now. It lists every program running, how much memory and processing power each one is using, and lets you stop programs that are frozen or slowing things down. On Windows, you open it with a keyboard shortcut. On Mac, it's called Activity Monitor and works the same way.
You don't need to search for it or install it. It's already there. The fastest way in is a three-key combination on your keyboard — different for Windows and Mac — and it opens in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly, or Ctrl + Alt + Delete and then click Task Manager.
- On Mac, press Command + Space, type "Activity Monitor", and press Enter to open the Mac equivalent.
- Task Manager shows you which programs are using the most memory and processing power, so you can see what's slowing your computer down.
- You can close a frozen program by clicking it in Task Manager and clicking "End Task" on Windows, or selecting it and clicking the X button on Mac.
Opening Task Manager on Windows
The fastest way is the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Press all three keys at the same time. Task Manager opens in about one second. This works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
If that shortcut doesn't work on your keyboard, use the longer route: press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, wait for a blue screen to appear, and then click the "Task Manager" button in the bottom right corner. This takes a few extra seconds but works on every Windows computer.
When Task Manager opens, you'll see a list of programs with columns showing how much memory and CPU (processing power) each one is using. The programs using the most are usually at the top. If a program says "Not Responding" next to its name, it's frozen.
Opening Activity Monitor on Mac
Mac calls its version Activity Monitor. The fastest way to open it is to press Command + Space (the Command key and the spacebar at the same time). A search box appears. Type "activity" and you'll see "Activity Monitor" appear in the results. Press Enter or click it.
Activity Monitor shows the same information as Windows Task Manager: which programs are running, how much memory each is using, and how much processing power (called CPU on Mac too). Programs using the most resources appear at the top of the list.
If you want to find Activity Monitor without using the search, you can also open Finder, click "Applications" in the sidebar, then "Utilities", and double-click "Activity Monitor". This takes longer but works if the keyboard shortcut isn't working.
What you'll see when Task Manager opens
Task Manager and Activity Monitor both show a table with columns. The most important columns are the program name (called "Name" or "Process Name"), memory usage (called "Memory" or "Mem"), and CPU usage (called "CPU"). The numbers next to each program show how much of your computer's resources that program is using right now.
If a program is using a lot of memory or CPU, it's slowing your computer down. You might see programs you recognize (like Chrome or Word) and programs you don't (like "svchost.exe" or "kernel_task"). The ones you don't recognize are usually system programs that Windows or Mac needs to run. Don't close those unless you know what they do.
At the top of the window, you'll see a summary showing your total memory and CPU usage. If these numbers are very high (above 80%), your computer is working hard and will feel slow.
How to close a frozen program
If a program is frozen and won't respond to clicks, find it in Task Manager or Activity Monitor. On Windows, click the program name to select it, then click the "End Task" button at the bottom right. The program closes when ready.
On Mac, click the program name to select it, then click the X button in the top left corner of the Activity Monitor window. A dialog box appears asking if you want to "Force Quit" — click that button. The program closes.
Closing a frozen program won't hurt your computer. You might lose any unsaved work in that program, but everything else stays safe. After you close it, you can open the program again if you need it.
When to use Task Manager to speed up your computer
Open Task Manager when your computer feels slow or sluggish. Look at the memory and CPU columns. If one program is using much more than the others, that's probably what's slowing you down. If memory is above 80% or CPU is constantly above 50%, your computer is working too hard.
You can close programs you're not using to free up memory. Close your web browser tabs if you have dozens open. Close programs running in the background that you don't need. Each one you close gives your computer more breathing room.
If the same program keeps using a lot of memory every time you open it, that program might have a problem. You could try uninstalling and reinstalling it, or switching to a different program that does the same thing.
Programs that are safe to close
Close any program you opened yourself and aren't using right now. This includes web browsers, email, Word, Photoshop, games, or anything else you can see in your taskbar or dock. Closing them won't break anything.
Don't close programs with names like "svchost.exe", "csrss.exe", "lsass.exe", "kernel_task", "WindowServer", or "loginwindow". These are Windows or Mac system programs. Closing them can cause problems or make your computer restart.
If you're not sure what a program is, don't close it. You can always restart your computer if something goes wrong, and restarting closes everything and starts fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close Task Manager without closing the programs it shows?
Yes. Task Manager only shows what's running — closing Task Manager itself doesn't close any programs. Click the X button on Task Manager's window to close it. All your programs keep running.
Why does my computer still feel slow after I close programs in Task Manager?
Sometimes the slowness is caused by your hard drive or internet connection, not by programs using memory. If memory and CPU are low but your computer still feels slow, restart it. Restarting clears out temporary files and often fixes slowness that Task Manager can't explain.
Is it bad to have Task Manager open all the time?
No. Task Manager uses very little memory itself. You can leave it open if you want to watch what your computer is doing. Most people close it after they're done checking on programs.
What does "Not Responding" mean in Task Manager?
It means the program is frozen and won't react to mouse clicks or keyboard presses. You can safely close it with "End Task" without losing anything except unsaved work in that program.
Can I see what websites I've visited in Task Manager?
No. Task Manager shows which programs are running and how much memory they use, but not what you're doing inside them. It won't show your browsing history or passwords.