Are you struggling with a task manager that doesn’t look or function the way you want it to? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll show you how to change your task manager back to normal. You’ll learn how to:
– Access the task manager
– Identify any changes or anomalies
– Restore default settings
– Troubleshoot if needed
Get ready to regain control of your task manager in just a few simple steps.
Accessing the Task Manager on Your System
To access the Task Manager on your system, simply press the ‘Ctrl+Shift+Esc’ keys simultaneously. This keyboard shortcut will immediately open up the Task Manager window, allowing you to view and manage the processes running on your computer.
Once the Task Manager is open, you can navigate through its different tabs to monitor the performance of your system, check the CPU and memory usage, and end any unresponsive or unnecessary tasks.
You might have noticed that the first time you open the Task Manager, it appears in fewer details mode.
The Task Manager is a powerful tool that can help you troubleshoot issues, identify resource-hungry programs, and optimize the performance of your computer. By accessing it with a simple keyboard shortcut, you can easily take control of your system’s processes and keep it running smoothly.
Identifying Changes or Anomalies in Task Manager

To identify changes or anomalies in the Task Manager, simply look for any unusual or unfamiliar processes running on your system. When you open the Task Manager, you’ll see a list of all the processes currently running on your computer.
Take a moment to scan through the list and pay attention to any processes that you don’t recognize or that seem suspicious. Look out for processes with strange or random names, excessive CPU or memory usage, or processes that are running in the background without your knowledge. These could be signs of malware or other unwanted software running on your system.
If you come across any suspicious processes, it’s important to investigate further and take appropriate action to ensure the security and performance of your computer.
Type regedit
Open Run command by pressing Windows + R and type Regedit and hit enter, this command will open the Registry Editor.
Alternatively, press Win + R, type taskmgr, and then hit the Enter button.
Type in the given path and hit Enter: From the left pane, right-click on the TaskManager key and then select Delete to remove it.
In fact I have the exact same tweak in my main tweaks file that applied during install so the entry is there, it’s just being ignored for some reason.
I’ll try to make some sort of Power shell command in a batch file or whatever, that can add that – or, I’ll just add the whole js on file to my unattended OS files, since the file doesn’t exist unless Task Manager has been run, I mean Power shell wouldn’t have a file to process if it’s not there lol.
Restoring Task Manager Defaults and Settings
Now, let’s dive into how you can easily restore Task Manager to its default settings and configurations.
Restoring Task Manager to its default state is a straightforward process. To begin, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Once Task Manager is open, click on the ‘Options’ tab located at the top of the window.
From the drop-down menu, select ‘Restore Defaults.’
A confirmation window will appear, asking if you want to restore Task Manager to its default settings. Click on ‘Yes’ to proceed.
Task Manager will then revert to its original settings, including the default tabs, columns, and layout.
A service is a process that runs in the background for all users and is managed by Windows—they don’t have user interfaces.
Command Prompt is a command-line tool that can help you restart or reset your taskbar by running the command: task kill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer.exe.
Any changes or customizations you made will be undone, so make sure to save any important information or configurations beforehand.
Verifying and Confirming the Changes
After restoring Task Manager to its default settings, you can verify and confirm the changes by following these steps.
First, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard. Once the Task Manager window is open, click on the ‘Processes’ tab to check if all the default processes are present. Look for any unusual or unknown processes that might indicate a problem.
Next, switch to the ‘Performance’ tab and ensure that the CPU, memory, and disk usage graphs are displaying normal values. If everything looks as it should, you can proceed to the ‘Startup’ tab and make sure that only the necessary programs are set to start with your computer.
However, it will be somehow limited, and users can only apply the Efficiency mode to a single process and not to the entire group.
Open the Task Manager and click on the top of the CPU column to sort by CPU usage.
It will remember all changes you make to the Task Manager window such as switching to more details mode, set options, view settings, window size, columns size, column details, sorting order, default tab, etc.
We can also check which programs are set to launch at startup with Windows using Startup tab present in Task Manager.
Startup Type: This shows whether the program is starting because of a registry entry (“Registry”) or because it’s in your startup folder (“Folder.”) Disk I/O at Startup: The disk activity the program performs at startup, in MB.
The Local Group Policy Editor is a reliable tool that helps you edit local policy settings.
Auto Running process
You can find such auto running processes In Task Manager’s Startup Apps section.
For example, tools like Dropbox, your antivirus program, background update processes, and hardware utilities with notification area (system tray) icons appear in the background processes list.
It’s a good way to spot CPU-hungry processes that may be idling at the moment.
System background tasks that aren’t urgent may have low priority compared to desktop program processes, for example.
Choose a backup version by the backup time.
At the top right corner of the window, you will see a “Last BIOS time” on some systems.
Programs sometimes begin responding after a bit of time and sometimes stay frozen.
Disabled Time: For startup programs you’ve disabled, the date and time you disabled a program appears here Command Line: This shows the full command line the startup program launches with, including any command line options.
Now copy-paste the below-mentioned command and hit enter.
You can easily troubleshoot most of your Windows 10 PC issues by running the correct commands in the Command Prompt.
Command line: The exact command line the process was launched with, including the executable file and any command-line arguments.
Each process runs one or more threads, and Windows allocates processor time to them.
Troubleshooting: If Normalization Attempts Are Unsuccessful
If your attempts to normalize Task Manager are unsuccessful, try troubleshooting the issue by identifying any potential conflicts or errors.
The new Task Manager uses WinUI to match the latest Windows 11 design principles.
Start by checking for any conflicting software or programs that may be causing Task Manager to malfunction. Disable or uninstall any recently installed programs that could be interfering with its functionality.
Additionally, ensure that your system is free from any malware or viruses that might be affecting Task Manager’s performance. Run a thorough scan using a reliable antivirus software and remove any detected threats.
It’s also recommended to update your operating system and device drivers to the latest versions, as outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
There isn’t any direct method to reset Task Manager to its default settings.
Windows automatically throttles certain applications when you’re not using them to save battery power.
I tried it with the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app, which was taking up more than 35% of my PC’s CPU processing power.
If the problem persists, consider seeking assistance from technical support or online forums where experts can provide further guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Customize the Appearance of the Task Manager After Restoring Default Settings?
Yes, you can customize the appearance of the task manager after restoring default settings. Simply go to the task manager options and select the desired theme or layout that suits your preferences.
Is It Possible to Disable Certain Tabs or Features in the Task Manager?
Yes, you can disable certain tabs or features in the task manager. This allows you to customize the task manager to your preferences and remove any unnecessary elements.
How Can I Prevent Unauthorized Changes to the Task Manager Settings in the Future?
To prevent unauthorized changes to the task manager settings in the future, you can enable user account control, set up a strong password for your user account, and regularly update your antivirus software.
What Should I Do if the Task Manager Is Not Responding or Freezing After Normalization Attempts?
If the task manager is not responding or freezing after normalization attempts, try restarting your computer. If the issue persists, check for any conflicting programs or malware that may be affecting its functionality.
Are There Any Alternative Task Manager Programs Available for Download?
There are alternative task manager programs available for download. You can search online for options that suit your needs and preferences. These programs can provide similar functionality to the default task manager.
Conclusion
In conclusion, changing the Task Manager back to its normal settings is a simple process that can be done by following these steps:
1. Access the Task Manager on your system.
2. Identify any changes or anomalies in the settings.
3. Restore the defaults and settings.
4. Verify the changes.
This new re-designed version of Task Manager follows the same design guidelines as Windows 11 does.
This is asecurity feature that helps protect applications from attacks.
However, if normalization attempts are unsuccessful, further troubleshooting may be required to resolve the issue.