How to Use Windows Task Manager in Windows XP

Task Manager provides information about programs and processes running on your computer. It also displays the most commonly used performance measures for processes.

You can use Task Manager to monitor key indicators of your computer’s performance. You can see the status of the programs that are running and end programs that have stopped responding. You can also assess the activity of running processes using as many as fifteen parameters, and see graphs and data on CPU and memory usage.

In addition, if you are connected to a network, you can view network status and see how your network is functioning.

Also if you have more than one user connected to your computer, you can see who is connected, what they are working on, and you can send them a message.

Windows Task Manager Explained

Watch this video to see more information about the Windows Task Manager in Windows. The Windows XP task manager is very similar to Windows Vista and Windows Seven, however this video concentrates on Windows XP.

Windows Task Manager Explained

Windows Task Manager Shortcuts

CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

CTRL+ALT+DEL no longer brings up the task manager in vista

Shortcut for All Windows Versions

1. Simply go to the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

2. Right click on a vacant part of the task bar.

3. A menu will appear. Choose Start Task Manager.

See the screenshot below.

Navigating the Task Manager Using Keyboard Shortcuts Only

Ctrl + Tab Next tab (cycles to the beginning)
Ctrl + Shift+ Tab Previous tab (cycles to the end)
Ctrl + Right Next tab
Ctrl + Left Previous tab

Windows Task Manager Processes

Under the Processes tab in the Windows Task manager you can see what processes are running on your computer. Please see the video above for more information.

To see what each individual process does, visit http://www.tasklist.org/.

Notes on the Windows Task manager

  • The most common reason to bring up the Windows Task Manger is when you computer is frozen. You can end the process or program causing the problem.
  • Another reason to Start Task Manager is to start a process. For example, if you want to restore your desktop, simply start the task “explorer.exe”.

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Oliver April 9, 2012 at 9:19 am

Task manager could also help you in case if certain programs or application are frozen your pc to access anything. Moreover, there are several instances of same program are running continuously which makes your pc slower. So, by using task manager you can stop those too.

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Thomas from Techwork February 21, 2012 at 2:40 pm

Hi Mitz
Nice article. As an IT pro I use the task manager in a daily basis. It is a must for fixing performance issues or virus attack on all Windows computers. In Windows 7 the task manager has been improved with additional features e.g. access to services. Maybe you can do a follow up post on Windows 7 task manager at some point?
Thomas recently posted..How to get more free space for your Dropbox account

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Paula February 18, 2012 at 2:46 am

This post totally help me a lot because I don’t have any idea about windows..Thanks for sharing this post to us..
Paula recently posted..The Gold Digger

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Aldreda February 16, 2012 at 3:33 pm

Thanks for sharing the video, Knowing to runs in using window task manager in window Xp, It’s truly valuable to me and bring a huge help.
Aldreda recently posted..Trying To Get Pregnant Tips

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Anne from home improvement blog February 16, 2012 at 8:24 am

Great explanation, Mitz. I’ve never used some of these because I didn’t know what they were for. Funny how we use computers and only make use of some of the features. Thanks for this.
Anne recently posted..Diy Tutorials

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Mitz February 16, 2012 at 10:51 am

Yes there are so many things hiding on the computer.. I know where everything is because I have always dissected every new version of windows.. I can’t help it!

Reply

Mika Castro February 16, 2012 at 5:51 am

It totally helped me and thank you fr http://www.tasklist.org/. At first i am so curious about the content of my task manager and as i encounter, too many pen files on task manager makes my system slow.
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