Windows 11 power tip: How to use the old task manager

Every Windows user should know how to start the Windows 11 task manager: Press the CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys simultaneously (there are also other options — for example, right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” from the menu that then opens). Or press CTRL + ALT + DEL and then select Task Manager). You will then see the Task Manager in its current form, as it has been since Windows 11 22H2 .

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This current Windows 11 task manager is clearly organized: At the top left, you can minimize and maximize the left-hand menu using the burger icon. And on the right, you can see the actual contents, for example under “Processes” the running “Tasks.” If you want to end a program immediately — for example, because it froze — select it in the list and then click on the menu item “End task” at the top. The current task manager also supports the dark mode of Windows 11.

How to start the old task manager in Windows 11

But what about the old Windows task manager? It still exists, but you no longer start it using the key combination CTRL + SHIFT + ESC. Instead, open File Explorer and enter C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Taskmgr.exe in the address bar. The old task manager starts immediately.

It offers you the familiar view, so the burger symbol and the left selection menu are missing. Instead, it displays the running tasks centrally. The selection through the areas “Processes,” “Performance,” etc. is still made via the top menu bar. So overall less clear and visually less appealing, but just as useful. Ultimately, it’s a matter of taste which view you like better.

Important: You cannot use the new and the old task manager at the same time. So if the current task manager is already running, you cannot also start the old one (and vice versa).

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.

Author: Hans-Christian Dirscherl, Redakteur

Hans-Christian Dirscherl schreibt seit über 20 Jahren zu fast allen IT-Themen. Sein Fokus liegt auf der Koordination und Produktion von Nachrichten mit hohem Nutzwert sowie auf ausführlichen Tests und Ratgebern für die Bereiche Smart Home, Smart Garden und Automotive.

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