Tech Tips

The Windows Task Manager

Question: How can I view information about the programs running on my PC?

Answer: While the Windows Taskbar shows a list the open programs on your computer, sometimes you may need to view hidden programs or "kill" programs that have crashed. Windows XP ships with a useful utility called the Task Manager which lets you accomplish these tasks. To access Task manager, press and hold the Alt, Ctrl, and Del keys and then release them.

One of the most useful features of the Task Manager is the ability to "kill" a misbehaving program. To do so, click on the "Processes" tab, then click on the program you want to end, and click the "End Process" button. Note: You should only "kill" a program as a last resort. The kill command will forcibly close a program, even if you have unsaved information in it.

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