Task Manager is usually the first thing I start looking for after installing a new OS. Being that I’m always installing new software and tweaking things, I frequently need to monitor the performance of my system and kill apps which aren’t behaving. Although it took me a few minutes to find the New Task Manager after first installing Windows 8, I managed to quickly discover three or four different ways to find it as well as the old legacy Task Manager from Windows 7.
To start things off, here’s an in-depth video review where I walk through how to run the Windows 8 Task Manager from the Metro-UI, Legacy Desktop as well as how-to run the old windows 7 task manager. If you want to print this groovyPost so you can read it later, feel free to skip the video and scroll down where I cover the full review using classic groovyPost screenshots.
First from the Windows 8 Metro UI, Launch the Search Charm using the Windows 8 Shortcut Key [WIN][W] or, just start typing Task Manager.
Task Manager should display on the left. Click it.
First thing you will notice is Windows 8 will flip you to the Classic Desktop in order to open Task Manager. As you can see, the default Task Manager has been greatly simplified– only listing the apps running and their status.
Similar to other tablets like the iPad, Windows 8 suspends inactive applications in order to conserve on Memory and CPU.
If you want to close the app, Highlight it and Click End Task.
Note: I need to do more research on this as well because a few times when I let my Windows 8 desktop run idle for about 5 minutes, apps automatically vanished from Task Manager. When I re-launched them however, I was able to pickup where I left off. Not sure if this is a Task Manager but or some type of Hibernate mode?
To view the new Task Manager in all its glory, Click the More details button.
I know it’s probably not normal to get excited about something like the Task Manager, but honestly, the new Windows 8 Task Manager is very nice. Starting with the Processes Tab, Windows 8 provides in-depth details around each application running including status (suspended), percentage of CPU being used, Memory, Disk and Network.
Here’s a few screenshots of the new Tabs starting with Performance Tab.
App History Tab – This will be really cool for Windows 8 Server.
Startup Tab – This is a new install. Nothing here yet.
Here’s an example of the Users Tab.
A look at the Details Tab.
The Services Tab is similar to that of previous versions of Windows.
On each of the tabs, don’t forget you can click on the File menus to change things like Update Speed to get sample data from the OS quicker or slower. Handy when troubleshooting something.
While in the Legacy Desktop, just like in Windows 7, you can Launch the Task Manager with a right-click on the Task Bar and selecting Start Task Manager
Additionally, you can swipe from the right side of your tablet to the left or press [Ctrl][C] and click Search to type out Task Manager again. As is typical with Windows, there is always about 10 ways to do the same thing and this is just a few.
A lot going on with the new Windows 8 Task Manager and Windows 8 in General. I’ve been having a blast exploring around and finding things. Bookmark this link to keep an eye out for all my latest Windows 8 groovyPosts.
Did I miss your favorite Windows 8 Task Manager Tip? Drop a comment or email tips@groovyPost.com.
does ctrl+shift+Esc still work?
what’s the command (.exe name) of the new task mgr?
can You access it through Ctrl+Alt+Delete or is that keycombo dead with win8?
I appreciate the input!