This is how you open the task manager correctly

If Windows has crashed again, the task manager is often the salvation in an emergency. But what key combination do you actually need to call up the useful Windows tool? You’re probably thinking of CTRL + ALT + DEL, right? While that works, there’s another keyboard shortcut you can use to launch Task Manager even faster.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC: This is how you start the task manager even faster

Almost every Windows user knows the task manager. And almost every Windows user knows which key combination is used to call up the tool: CTRL + ALT + DEL naturally. But with Windows 7, Windows 10 and Windows 11 you don’t end up directly in the task manager, but on an intermediate screen where you then have to select the task manager.

However, you can save yourself this step – thanks to a different key combination. If you CTRL + SHIFT + ESC press, it opens the task manager immediately.

Want even more handy keyboard shortcuts? In our video we show you the most important shortcuts in Windows 10 – most of them also work in Windows 11:

This is how you end programs blindly via the task manager

Gamers in particular know the problem: Sometimes your game just hangs. The task manager can also help here if the classic ALT + F4 lets you down. Finally, you can also use the task manager to end programs and processes. It’s just stupid that sometimes the game doesn’t allow the task manager to appear in the foreground. Instead, the Windows tool is open but not visible on your screen.

But that’s not a problem at all. Because you can also end the software troublemakers flying blind via the task manager. Simply first open the task manager with CTRL + SHIFT + ESC, then start typing the process or game and press the DEL key. If you did everything correctly, the stuck program should end abruptly and you should have full control over your PC again – without the hassle of restarting.

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