Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Use Processes to see which running apps are using CPU, memory, disk, or network; Performance to inspect overall system activity; and Startup apps to control what launches when you sign in. Treat high usage as a clue to investigate—not proof that a process is unsafe or should be stopped.
Windows 10 still runs, but its general support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes under that ended support arrangement; see Microsoft’s Windows 10 support information for current options.
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Open Task Manager
The quickest route works in Windows 11 and Windows 10:
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- Alternatively, right-click Start and select Task Manager.
If Task Manager opens in a compact view, expand it to see the tabs and additional controls. The precise layout can vary by Windows release, so instructions tied to a particular screen should be checked against the exact version shown.
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Microsoft describes Task Manager as a system monitor and startup manager that provides information about device performance and resource use. It can also end unresponsive programs and show active user sessions. See Microsoft’s overview of Windows system configuration tools.
Find apps using too many resources
Sort the Processes list
Open Processes and inspect the CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network columns. Select a column heading to sort by that resource and bring the highest current readings into view. A process near the top may be contributing to a slowdown, but a high reading by itself does not show whether the activity is necessary or harmful.
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Use this cautious sequence:
- Sort by the resource that appears unusually busy.
- Check whether the row belongs to an app you recognize and whether you are using it.
- Save your work, then close a familiar app normally if you do not need it.
- Use End task only if an app is unresponsive or you understand what ending it will interrupt. Do not routinely end unfamiliar Windows processes to try to speed up the PC.
Inspect system-wide activity
Select Performance to view overall CPU, memory, disk, and network activity. Compare the readings when the PC is idle with those while you reproduce the slowdown. This can help narrow down what is busy; it does not identify every cause of poor performance or establish that a particular process is the root cause.
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Microsoft lists several possible causes of sluggish performance and notes that older hardware may not improve substantially through software steps. Its guidance on improving PC performance in Windows can help with issues Task Manager alone cannot diagnose.
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Control apps that start when you sign in
Enable or disable an app
- Open Task Manager and select Startup apps.
- Select the app you want to change.
- Choose Disable to prevent it from launching automatically at sign-in, or Enable to restore its startup behavior.
Disabling an item does not uninstall it. Disable only apps you recognize and do not need immediately after signing in. If something you rely on stops starting automatically, return to Startup apps, select it, and choose Enable.
Choose between Task Manager and Settings
Microsoft says the startup-app list is also available in Settings. Both routes provide an enable/disable control; Task Manager adds a more detailed startup-impact view. If an app does not appear in the list, Microsoft says its startup behavior may need to be configured using a shortcut in File Explorer.
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| Route | Startup list and on/off control | Startup impact detail |
|---|---|---|
| Task Manager > Startup apps | Available | More detailed impact view, according to Microsoft’s startup-app guidance |
| Settings | Available | Not stated on Microsoft’s cited page |
Interpret startup impact labels
Microsoft’s published startup-impact criteria are based on an app’s total CPU and disk use during startup. The page does not state the publication year, and the labels are criteria—not a prediction of how much faster your PC will boot if you disable an app.
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| Low Impact | Total CPU usage under 300 milliseconds and total disk usage under 292 kilobytes. |
| Medium Impact | CPU usage under one second but above 300 milliseconds, or disk usage under 3 megabytes but above 292 kilobytes. |
| High Impact | CPU usage over one second or disk usage over 3 megabytes. |
Use Efficiency mode carefully
Task Manager’s Efficiency mode is a Windows 11 feature. Microsoft says it limits resources used by a process or process group and lowers background process priority. The intended effects can include improving responsiveness for active processes, extending battery life, and reducing thermal noise. A green double-leaf icon indicates that Efficiency mode is enabled.
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It is a targeted control, not a universal performance fix: Microsoft warns that applying it may cause instability for some processes. If an app becomes unstable, open that process’s context menu in Task Manager and turn Efficiency mode off. This Windows feature is separate from Microsoft Edge’s own energy-saving setting.
Know what Task Manager cannot diagnose
Task Manager provides observations and controls for running software; it is not a complete diagnosis of hardware, malware, driver, or Windows problems. Avoid assuming that one high reading proves a problem or that ending one process will fix a slow PC.
Do not confuse the Startup apps list with system services or advanced boot settings. Microsoft treats System Configuration as a separate advanced troubleshooting utility and warns that incorrect use could make a computer unusable. Its clean-boot procedure is intended for deliberate troubleshooting, with steps to return Windows to normal startup—not routine optimization. See Microsoft’s clean-boot instructions.
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