I have always been a fan of Windows Task Manager as it was a useful tool even in the earlier versions of Windows. Originally my main reason for using Windows Task Manager was to shut down misbehaving applications.

However in the Windows 8 Preview version there are more features worthy of comment. Some have already been dealt with by George, Martin and Robert Boland on our sister website, Windows 8 News & Tips. These hyperlinks, shown below, will take you to their take on Windows 8 Task Manager.

The Windows 8 Task Manager by George

New Task Manager In Windows 8 by Martin

Microsoft Talks About The New Windows 8 Task Manager by Robert Boland

 Quick Access to Windows Task Manager

I use the three-fingered salute – Ctrl, ALT + Del to get access to this valuable tool. This method still works with Windows 8 Developer. Of course you can use Search, either in Windows 7 or Windows 8 Developer to get access to it. Windows 7 Search in my opinion remains streets ahead of Windows 8 Developer but given it’s only a preview version, one should be patient waiting for the Beta to come out.

In Windows 8 Developer, you can get access to it by pressing Win Key + C which gets you the so-called Charms menu (not so charming in my view!). Select Search and in the Search box, type “task manager” and press the Enter key.

Back in Windows 7 press the Start button and in the Search box type “task“. Search is so good here you don’t even need to add “manager”. Pressing the Enter key opens it.

Changes to Windows Task Manager

In their development of Windows 8 Microsoft has made substantial changes to its interface.

Opening Screen

At first it displays a very basic window but in the lower section should you wish to see more details click More Details. This expands the Processes window providing all sorts of information not necessarily relevant to the average user.

Expanded View

Across the top of the expanded window are seven tabs, each one containing more information.

Perhaps the most interesting screen is the Performance Tab. This displays information about applications usage of your CPU, Memory, Disks et al.

Performance Screen

Next tab is the App History screen. Here you can see the applications running and see how much CPU they are using.

Application History

Moving on, the next tab is the Startup screen. This is one screen I find useful as I can disable any listed application by selecting it and pressing the Disable button. Of course you can also access Start Up by going through System Configuration.  Either way you can control what starts on your computer!

Start Up

And so it goes on! The Users screen displays who is using the computer, the Details screen, information on all the apps in use and the last screen, Services shows which of them are running or not in operation.

At any time you can shut down the full tabbed set by selecting Fewer Details at the bottom of each screen. This takes you back to the opening screen.

I’m sure even most of us will find the new Windows Task Manager to our liking.