How to master Task Manager and Resource Monitor

¿How to master Task Manager and Resource Monitor? Windows comes with two very powerful utilities as standard. To find out what's happening under the hood of your PC: Task Manager and Resource Monitor. Together, they give you a real-time view of system behavior, detect bottlenecks, and allow you to make quick decisions when an application freezes or a service spikes unexpectedly.

While The Task Manager stands out for its speed and simplicity. (Closing rogue apps, changing priorities, checking performance, and even viewing GPU activity), Resource Monitor provides the fine-tuning: it breaks down CPU, memory, disk, and network usage in detail, shows dependencies, and clearly indicates which process or thread is consuming each resource. If you want to monitor and diagnose, this combination is essential.

What each tool is and when it is appropriate to use them

The Resource Monitor is literally what its name says.A dashboard that centralizes how your computer's resources are being used in real time. While it doesn't include the GPU, it covers the essentials for everyday use: CPU, memory (RAM), storage (HDD/SSD), and network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi, depending on your connection). It's the perfect way to quickly see if anything is under strain and, if necessary, take action.

When you open it, The overview already sets the scene.On the right, you'll see graphs showing the last minute of activity for CPU, disk, network, and RAM. If any of these spike, that's likely the bottleneck. On the left, figures and processes help pinpoint the problem without getting lost in the data.

In parallel, Task Manager remains the ace of everyday lifeTerminate frozen applications, launch new tasks, adjust priorities, view live resource usage, and, since the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, monitor GPU usage from the Performance tab. It's fast, straightforward, and user-friendly, with clear tabs (Processes, Performance, App History, Startup, Users, Details, and Services).

Furthermore, The Task Manager displays key metrics for each processCPU and RAM usage, disk activity, network load, battery impact (laptops), and programs that start automatically. This allows you to identify resource hogs and disable or uninstall them if they are not essential.

When you need an in-depth diagnosis (For example, figuring out which app subprocess is slowing down the SSD or which service is causing latency issues in an online game), Resource Monitor gives you the granular information missing from Task Manager. For quick checks, use Task Manager; for surgical analysis, use Resource Monitor.

Resource Monitor: Every Tab, in Detail

Before going into detail, remember You can open it directly by searching for “Resource Monitor” in Start or from Task Manager, on the Performance tab (in the bottom left corner you'll see the “Open Resource Monitor” link). Once inside, these are its key areas.

CPU

On the right, graphics per core plus a general summary; on the left, the list of processes with their CPU usage, number of threads, and average consumption. If you select a process, the lower panel is filtered through that element and displays linked services, identifiers, and loaded modules (DLLs), all with full paths and versions.

This filter is pure gold: It serves to confirm dependencies and detect unusual behaviors. of background software. It also helps verify the legitimacy of an executable by checking its actual path; if a "known name" is in a suspicious folder, you already have a security clue. In the event of unusual errors, this tab significantly reduces diagnostic time.

Conference proceedings

Here you will see Graphs of RAM usage, committed load, and failuresIn addition to a breakdown by process showing the allocated memory, a graph at the bottom clearly shows how RAM is being used—perfect when you experience lag and don't know the cause. If you notice apps you don't use that are consuming a lot of RAM, disable them unless they're critical.

Another thing to keep an eye on: serious errors per secondNormally, these values ​​should be zero. If they increase steadily, there may be memory leaks or faulty modules. Remember that only processes currently loaded into RAM appear in this list; if a process is not in memory, you won't see it.

Disc

The disk tab shows, on the right, average last minute usage and tail length of your drives. On the left, the read/write consumption per process. Below, disk activity per file, and also the available and total capacity of each drive.

The trick here is to expand processes: even though the father's process seems calmA subprocess might be saturating the SSD. If you notice everything is running slowly, check each process individually; once you find the culprit, you can terminate it to restore performance. This is incredibly useful for detecting indexers, antivirus software, or synchronization programs in the middle of their work.

Red

This tab shows network usage and TCP connections with remote IPs and ports. Ideal for online gaming: filter by game process and you'll see latency (ping in ms) and potential packet loss. If you notice lag, you can distinguish between a local problem and a server issue.

It also provides a safety angle: if an application uses privileged ports (0–1023) for no reasonIt's time to be wary. Process filtering makes it clear which program opens which connection, which is very useful when installing tools from dubious sources or when auditing traffic.

Resource Monitor vs. Task Manager: Practical Differences

They both share the idea of ​​measuring and managingBut they're designed for different situations. If you want to act quickly (close apps, change priorities, see overall performance, check what starts with Windows), Task Manager is perfect; if you need to understand the "why" with detailed figures and filters, use Resource Monitor.

• Task Manager: ideal for quick actions, checking overall performance (CPU, RAM, disks, network and GPU), terminating processes, managing startup and viewing activity by user.
• Resource Monitor: designed for advanced diagnosis real-time with process filtering, service and module view, disk and connection analysis, and detailed data not found in the Manager.

In functional summary: Administrator = immediate control; Monitor = in-depth analysisFor most users, the Manager is sufficient, but when the symptoms don't match up and you need precision, the Monitor is the right tool.

Quick opening and key tips for Task Manager

There are many ways to open Task ManagerThe more readily available it is, the faster you can tackle a problem. Here are some of the most practical ways:

• Ctrl + Shift + Esc: direct access to taskmgr.exe, without intermediate steps.
• Ctrl + Alt + DeleteOpen the security menu; click on “Task Manager”.
• Windows + R → taskmgr: the classic Run to launch it instantly.
• Right-click on the Start button (Windows + X): direct shortcut in the context menu.
• Windows SearchType "Task Manager". Quick and easy.
• List of applications from the Start menu: accessible from “Windows System”.
• File Browser: writes taskmgr in the address bar.
• Console or PowerShell: executes taskmgr as command.
• Executable path: C:\\Windows\\System32\\Taskmgr.exe (creates a shortcut).
• Right click on the taskbar (in versions that include it) and opens the Manager.

A little-used gem is “Search online” (Right-click on a process). This opens your browser with results about that specific executable, useful when you suspect malware or adware disguised with familiar names.

If your Windows interface freezes, restart the Windows File Explorer from the AdministratorOn the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer, click Restart (or End, then File → Run new task → explorer.exe). This is a lifesaver that prevents full restarts.

And don't forget: from Windows 10 Fall Creators Update The Manager displays the GPU in Performance (if your computer has one), with usage, dedicated and shared memory, engines, and decoding; perfect for checking if the bottleneck is in the graphics card.

From that same Performance tab, You can jump to the Resource Monitor with the bottom left link. It's the quick way to go from the "big picture" to the micro-detail data without breaking the flow.

How to open Resource Monitor and other useful system panels

Resource Monitor: search for it in Start by typing “Resource Monitor” or use Windows + R → formally (alternatively, from Task Manager, Performance → “Open Resource Monitor”).

There is also System tools which are great support when you're adjusting or diagnosing:

• Control panelWindows + R → controlFor classic settings that are not in Settings.
• System configuration (MSConfig)Windows + R → msconfigIdeal for selective starting and servicing.
• Local Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise editions): Windows + R → gpedit.mscAdvanced settings are not available in the Settings app.
• Advanced system propertiesWindows + R → SystemPropertiesAdvancedEnvironment variables, performance, profiles, and recovery.

These utilities complement the Administrator and the Monitor very well.With them you can change how Windows starts, set local policies, adjust visual effects or check system paths without installing anything from third parties.

Good practices for intelligent diagnosis

Always start with the symptom. (slowness, stuttering in games, fans running at full speed, endless downloads) and choose the appropriate view: Performance in Manager to see if the spike is in CPU, RAM, disk, network or GPU; then, Resource Monitor to break it down by process.

When the problem is intermittent, Look at the last minute graphs Then, recreate the situation (open the game, render a video, copy files, open the browser with many tabs). This will help you locate the spike in resource consumption and the associated process.

If you suspect memory, monitors for serious errors and compromised consumption In memory. If the disk is "scratching," check the queue and operations per process; on the network, check latency and packet loss. If the parent process isn't causing problems, expand subprocesses: sometimes the culprit is hiding there.

For safety, Look at routes and portsDLL modules loaded from unusual locations or outbound connections on "reserved" ports without justification are red flags. Process filtering gives you the traceability you need to act accordingly.

Express FAQ

What is the Resource Monitor and how do I open it? It's the advanced tool built into Windows for viewing and filtering CPU, RAM, disk, and network usage. Open it by searching for "Resource Monitor" or pressing Windows + R → resmon; you can also access it from Task Manager → Performance.

How is it different from Task Manager? The Manager is perfect for quick actions and an overview, including the GPU; the Monitor is for in-depth diagnostics with filters by process, services, modules, disk activity, and detailed TCP connections.

Can I see the GPU in Resource Monitor? No. GPU performance can be checked in Task Manager (Performance) or with the manufacturer's software. The Monitor focuses on CPU, RAM, disk, and network.

Is it suitable for online games? Yes: Filter the game process in the Network tab of the Monitor and you'll see the server IP, port, latency, and whether there's packet loss. If the ping is high or fluctuates, you'll have a clear clue.

With all the aboveYou have a clear roadmap: Administrator to act quickly and see the GPU, Monitor to dissect the cause in detail. By combining both, plus system shortcuts (MSConfig, Control Panel, policies, and advanced properties), you can keep your PC running smoothly, detect problematic software, and improve your experience without installing anything external.