How to track your PC performance with Task Manager
Windows Task Manager gives you the power to monitor performance, optimize startup programs, and take control of your system like a pro.
If you've ever wondered why your PC is running slower than usual or why certain apps are consuming too many resources, the Windows Task Manager is your best friend. Think of it as the control center for your PC, allowing you to monitor, manage, and troubleshoot system performance. Whether you're dealing with a sluggish startup, an app that's hogging all your memory, or mysterious background processes, Task Manager gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what's happening under the hood.
For many users, Task Manager can seem intimidating at first—it's packed with technical terms, graphs, and a long list of running processes. But once you understand how to navigate its various tabs, you'll have the power to take control of your system like never before. From checking CPU and memory usage to managing startup apps and tracking network activity, Task Manager helps you make informed decisions that can significantly improve your computer’s performance.
This guide will walk you through the essential features of Task Manager in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you’re not a tech expert.
David Adubiina
1/ Checking App History
The App History tab in Task Manager provides a detailed breakdown of how Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps have consumed system resources over time. However, it does not track traditional desktop applications. This feature is particularly useful if you want to monitor data usage, CPU time, and background activity of apps gotten from the Microsoft Store. By navigating to the App History tab, you can review crucial performance metrics, including;
- Go to your start bar, and search for Task Manager, then open the application. Or simply use the keyboard shortcut by pressing the Control, Alt and Delete keys at the same time.
- Navigate to App History
- CPU Time – The total amount of time an app has used the processor.
- Network Usage – Tracks the total data sent and received by an app.
- Metered Network – Displays data usage over metered connections, such as mobile data.
- Tile Updates – Shows data downloaded for live tiles.
- Non-metered Network – Tracks data usage over unrestricted networks like Wi-Fi.
David Adubiina
2/ Managing Startup Applications
The Startup tab is essential for controlling which programs launch when your computer starts. Managing these effectively can significantly improve boot times and system performance. By reducing unnecessary startup programs, you can achieve a faster and more responsive system. To disable startup apps:
- Go to your Task Manager and navigate to the Startup tab.
- Locate the application you want to manage.
- Right-click the app and select Disable to prevent it from starting automatically.
3/ Monitoring and Managing Running Processes
The Processes and Details tabs show the currently running applications, background processes, and system services. Monitoring running processes will help you identify resource-intensive applications, detect malware, and troubleshoot performance issues. To monitor system performance;
- Open Task Manager and switch to the Processes tab.
- Sort applications by CPU, Memory, Disk, or Network usage to identify resource-intensive tasks.
- If an application is consuming excessive resources, right-click and select End Task to forcefully close it.
The Details tab offers more granular control over processes, allowing you to:
- End Task – Immediately stops an application.
- Set Priority – Adjusts how much CPU time an app receives.
- Set Affinity – Assigns an app to specific processor cores.
- Analyze Wait Chain – Detects apps causing slowdowns by waiting on other processes.
- Open File Location – Locates where the program is installed.
- Search Online – Helps identify unfamiliar processes.
- Go to Services – Links processes to their related background services.
Fishon Amos
4/ Monitoring Performance Metrics
The Performance tab provides a comprehensive overview of how system resources are being utilized in real time. By analyzing this data, you can identify potential bottlenecks, optimize resource allocation, and troubleshoot system slowdowns.
Here, you can monitor:
- CPU Usage: The CPU Usage section displays a real-time graph that can help you track processor performance. A consistently high CPU usage percentage may indicate that an application is consuming too many resources. You can analyze the Processes tab to locate the culprit and take action, such as closing unnecessary programs or adjusting their priority.
- Memory Usage: The Memory Usage section provides insight into how much RAM is being utilized at any given time. If memory usage is frequently near its limit, the system may experience slowdowns due to excessive paging. Identify memory-consuming applications and close them to free up resources.
- Disk Usage: The Disk Usage section shows the read and write activity of the storage drive. High disk usage can slow down system performance, especially if a process is continuously writing or reading from the drive. By sorting the Processes tab by disk usage, you can pinpoint problematic applications and take corrective action, such as limiting background activity or upgrading to a faster SSD.
- Network Usage: The Network Usage section monitors data transmission rates for both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. If network activity is unusually high, you can check the App History tab to see which applications are consuming the most bandwidth.
5/ Managing Background Services
The Services tab in Task Manager provides an overview of the system and third-party background services running on your computer. Background services are essential processes that operate behind the scenes to support system functions, application tasks, and connectivity features. These services include system components like Windows Update, Print Spooler, and Security Center, as well as third-party services installed by software applications.
While many services are necessary for system stability, some may consume excessive system resources or run unnecessarily in the background. Excessive background activity can lead to slower performance, increased CPU usage, and memory consumption. Services actions you can perform include;
- Start or Stop Services – Right-click a service to start or stop it.
- Search Online – Look up unknown services.
- Open Services Manager – Access advanced service settings.
David Adubiina
Conclusion
Now that you've explored the ins and outs of Windows Task Manager, you can see just how powerful this tool is in keeping your computer running efficiently. From identifying memory-hungry apps to disabling unnecessary startup programs, these small tweaks can make a big difference in system performance. No more frustrating slowdowns, unresponsive applications, or unexpected crashes, you're now equipped to handle them all.
The more familiar you become with Task Manager, the easier it will be to troubleshoot common issues and prevent problems before they even start. Regularly checking performance metrics, managing background processes, and keeping an eye on startup impact can help you maintain a smooth and responsive system. Think of it as a health check for your PC, spend a little time monitoring it, and it will reward you with faster speeds and better performance. So, the next time your computer starts acting up, don’t panic, just open Task Manager and take control.
Image credit: Oyinebiladou Omemu/techloy.com
