Windows Task Manager has evolved into a comprehensive monitoring tool over decades. Recent updates in Windows 11 offer users new ways to manage and optimize system performance.
Interface Customization
Users can expand Task Manager's utility by modifying its interface. By right-clicking any column header in the Processes tab, users can display additional metrics like power usage or GPU engine. These columns can be resized and reordered to highlight different process details.
Compact Monitoring
The Graph Summary View, accessible by double-clicking the CPU, Memory, Disk, Wi-Fi, NPU, or GPU in the Performance tab, provides a snapshot of system stats. This always-on-top window facilitates unobtrusive monitoring without the need for the full Task Manager dashboard.
Efficient Troubleshooting
If the Windows desktop or Start menu becomes unresponsive, users can use Task Manager to restart Windows Explorer. By right-clicking on Windows Explorer in the Processes tab and selecting Restart, or ending the task, most interface freezes can be resolved quickly and without data loss.
