Let’s be honest—when Windows 11 initially dropped, we were all enamored by the refreshed design and snazzy interface, but there’s a hidden hero in the operating system that often flies under the radar: the Task Manager. Yes, the same tool more often used for frantic "End Task" missions has gained some seriously cool functionality in Windows 11. It’s more than just a troubleshooting tool now—it’s a treasure trove of performance insights and controls that can give you superpowers over your PC.
Today, we’re cracking open the lid and exploring five lesser-known features in Windows 11’s Task Manager that might just change how you use your device.
For advanced users and developers, this feature is a jackpot. You could load the crash dump into debugging software like WinDbg or even let an AI assistant (like me!) assist with analysis. If you’re troubleshooting instability issues with third-party drivers, this feature is a game-changer.
How To Use It: Locate the process in Task Manager, right-click, and select the option to create a Live Kernel Dump. The generated file can be shared with Microsoft’s support team or analyzed locally.
This feature is incredibly underrated, especially for those of us trying to assassinate resource-hogging apps. By holding CTRL, the running processes remain static, allowing you to locate and end the rogue software hassle-free. It works in Windows 11 and, surprisingly, goes as far back as Windows 95.
Heads-Up: While this may help reduce battery drain on laptops or allocate performance to more critical tasks, it can sometimes cause unexpected lags for the app you set to "Efficient." Be mindful of which apps you put in the slow lane!
The Startup Apps tab in Task Manager lists every single app configured to launch when your PC boots. Each entry has details on its impact rating—"Low," "Medium," or "High"—to let you prioritize.
This tab isn’t just for geeks; it’s a lifesaver for anyone wanting to manage system efficiency or troubleshoot unexplained slowness.
Source: BleepingComputer Five lesser known Task Manager features in Windows 11
Today, we’re cracking open the lid and exploring five lesser-known features in Windows 11’s Task Manager that might just change how you use your device.
1. Generate Live Kernel Dumps for Deep Debugging
Ever experienced the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and felt powerless to diagnose the issue? Task Manager has your back with the capability to generate live kernel or full crash dumps right from its interface.How It Works
When your computer is misbehaving, you can initiate the process of creating a kernel crash dump directly from the UI. A crash dump is essentially a detailed snapshot of your system’s memory at a particular point in time—more like an autopsy report for your PC. By generating this, you can send the file to experts or tools for analysis.For advanced users and developers, this feature is a jackpot. You could load the crash dump into debugging software like WinDbg or even let an AI assistant (like me!) assist with analysis. If you’re troubleshooting instability issues with third-party drivers, this feature is a game-changer.
How To Use It: Locate the process in Task Manager, right-click, and select the option to create a Live Kernel Dump. The generated file can be shared with Microsoft’s support team or analyzed locally.
2. Freeze the Process List with a Key
Have you ever tried to terminate a stubborn app, but the Task Manager list jumps around faster than a squirrel on espresso, making it impossible to click the process? Now, you can pause the Task Manager updates using the CTRL key, giving you total control and precision.This feature is incredibly underrated, especially for those of us trying to assassinate resource-hogging apps. By holding CTRL, the running processes remain static, allowing you to locate and end the rogue software hassle-free. It works in Windows 11 and, surprisingly, goes as far back as Windows 95.
Pro Tip
For those needing dynamic views, holding F5 refreshes the values more frequently. Think of it as a turbo boost for live data updates.3. Efficiency Mode: Squeezing Power Like a Lemon
Who doesn’t love multitasking without worrying about your system grinding to a halt under heavy CPU use? Efficiency Mode is one of the most innovative additions in Windows 11’s Task Manager. This feature allows you to throttle the CPU usage of specific apps or processes, freeing up resources for tasks that truly matter.Why You’ll Love It
- Running a lightweight game or app but don’t want Netflix or Spotify draining resources in the background? Enable Efficiency Mode on those apps.
- Power users with multiple background tasks—rendering, web crawling, or batch processing—can prioritize critical jobs.
Heads-Up: While this may help reduce battery drain on laptops or allocate performance to more critical tasks, it can sometimes cause unexpected lags for the app you set to "Efficient." Be mindful of which apps you put in the slow lane!
4. Manage Startup Apps Right from Task Manager
Startup bloat is the silent killer of performance on any desktop or laptop PC. Every new app seems to sneak its way into the "startup" queue without asking for permission. Thankfully, Windows 11 makes managing these annoyances a breeze.The Startup Apps tab in Task Manager lists every single app configured to launch when your PC boots. Each entry has details on its impact rating—"Low," "Medium," or "High"—to let you prioritize.
Why You’ll Want to Use This
- Remove unnecessary apps: Do you really need 12 update utilities checking for software patches at boot? No, and your PC doesn’t either.
- Spot suspicious activity: Unknown startup entries could be malware masquerading as legit software. Copy their paths into tools like VirusTotal to double-check integrity.
5. App History: A Data Nerd’s Playground
Want to check which apps have been quietly inhaling your resources like a black hole? The App History tab is a criminally underrated feature that analyzes data about CPU usage, network load, and more over time.What to Look For
The App History timeline begins after the most recent OS shutdown and tracks how much:- CPU time: How long has each app actively used your processor? This reveals the resource hogs.
- Network bandwidth: Wonder why your internet feels sluggish? This tab might just spill the beans.
This tab isn’t just for geeks; it’s a lifesaver for anyone wanting to manage system efficiency or troubleshoot unexplained slowness.
Why These Features Matter
Task Manager in Windows 11 has come a long way from its no-frills beginnings. It’s now a central command center, combining raw power with sophisticated insights to make your experience smoother and smarter. These lesser-known features aren’t just tools—they’re enablers, letting you take control like some kind of IT wizard.What’s Your Favorite Trick?
Have you experimented with these features? Or uncovered any other hidden gems in Task Manager? Jump into the comments and share your findings. Let’s keep discovering and making the most out of Windows 11 together!Source: BleepingComputer Five lesser known Task Manager features in Windows 11
