task manager remote computer

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How do I open the Windows Task Manager during a Remote Desktop session?

When I press Ctrl-Alt-Delete I can only open the Task Manager for the local PC.

Is there some simple way to open the Task Manager on the remote PC while running Remote Desktop from one Windows XP machine to another?

remote-desktop
task-manager
ctrl-alt-delete

10 Answers 10

Right-click the taskbar and click Task Manager. CTRL + Shift + Esc will serve the purpose if its not allowing to click anywhere.

1 Interesting, didn't know XP had that. – RCIX Jul 20, 2009 at 22:51
2 I can't tell you how many times I use that in a day! :-) – JFV Jul 20, 2009 at 22:56
6 Ctrl + Shift + Escape works too, I think Ctrl + Alt + Delete gives you back control over your own computer doesn't it? – Ivo Flipse Jul 21, 2009 at 7:28
How about in an RDP connection to a Mac PC? – S. Mayol Jun 28, 2016 at 20:54
2 In my case (Windows 7 local, Windows Server 2012 remote), Ctrl+Shift+Esc was handled by the local system and not the remote one. pelms' answer however, Ctrl+Alt+End, worked just fine. – nephtes Oct 12, 2016 at 15:42

Press Ctrl + Alt + End , then press t

??? on what platform is that? Doesn't work on my XP... – fretje Aug 6, 2009 at 14:35
Opps, Ctrl+Alt+End brings up the 'Window Security' dialog, added 't' for the Task Manager button. – pelms Aug 6, 2009 at 15:17
+1 In my case, the remote machine was running a program which prohibited use of the taskbar and start menu. I was able to use this to kill that process. – p.s.w.g Mar 24, 2014 at 13:22
1 Nice trick to use after click "Exit Explorer". – Ivan Chau Aug 14, 2017 at 9:07
This one just saved my bacon. Explorer was shut down from an installation, and restarting explorer.exe wasn't working. I was able to remotely log out and log back in to get the shell back. – xofz Aug 1, 2018 at 20:00

Or click Start → Run, then type taskmgr .

3 I will have to remember. I incorrectly tried taskman... taskmgr taskmgr taskmgr :) – Sun Oct 9, 2014 at 18:08

If Jonas may have been meaning he had a windowed remote desktop session, and he wondered what keyboard shortcut would open Task Manager on that remote, there is a shortcut for that (not mentioned yet in other answers here):

alt shift home

Since he mentioned using ctrl alt del , it seems most focused on showing how to do THAT against in the remote (windowed or not), or how to open task manager other ways in the remote. Those are not wrong answers, but if Jonas (or other readers finding this post) wondered if there was such a keyboard shortcut for a windowed RDP session, hope this helps.

I have a blog post with still more such shortcuts for a "windowed" remote desktop: Helpful keyboard shortcuts for working with "windowed" Remote Desktop: switching windows, more

You can set the Windows key combinations to go to the remote computer and use Ctrl-Shift-Esc to launch the Task Manager.

In the remote desktop connection options for Local Resources you have the option of where to apply Windows key combinations (On the local computer, On the remote computer, or only in full screen mode).

2 Ctrl+Shift+Esc works for me like that by default... – KovBal Jul 28, 2009 at 12:19
1 Ctrl+Shift+Esc will work in full screen but if running in a window it will open the client PC's task manager – pelms Aug 6, 2009 at 15:21

If you just needed to enumerate processes on remote PC, you do not need to establish RDP session.

Take a look at Remote Process Manager http://admintoyssuite.com/l/remote-task-manager--view-and-kill-processes-and-applications-on-network-desktop-computers/

I found this way more flexible than to disturb currently logged on user with RDP connection prompt. Remote Process Manager connects on-the-fly and do not show any question boxes to remote users..

David, could you please disclose your affiliation with the product according to the FAQ ? Excessive self-promoting is not welcome here. – slhck Nov 27, 2012 at 14:45

Alt Ctrl Esc will work on Remote Desktop.

I had a solid white screen but was successfully connected via RDP. This answer made my normal desktop appear. Kudos. Note: further testing reveals that Ctrl+Alt+Esc acts basically like a remote Alt+F4 (close window). – semtex41 Jul 21, 2017 at 3:13
This does not work if you have a remote desktop inside a remote desktop. It only launches the task manager of the 1st remote. – Andreas Jan 10, 2022 at 13:44

Ctrl + Shift + Esc doesn't work in windowed (non-full screen) mode. Host Task Manager will be invoked.

Ctrl + Alt + End doesn't work in nested RDP session. Menu for outer RDP session will be displayed.

If you need to start Task Manager to rescue your server in nested session / windowed mode - just switch to full screen mode temporary with Ctrl + Alt + Break where you can use Ctrl + Shift + Esc . This key combination will be send to the most nested RDP session in full screen mode.

Other cool tips: https://blog.codinghorror.com/remote-desktop-tips-and-tricks/

You have to use Ctrl F3 .

The details are on my blog: How to Open the Task Manager on Remote Computer or Desktop

In nested remote desktop sessions the shortcut CTRL + ALT + Home brings up the taskmanager of the 1st remote Windows.

To invoke the taskmanager of the 2nd remote Windows I use the On-Screen Keyboard of the 1st remote Windows.

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How to Open Task Manager in Remote Desktop: 3 Tricks for All Versions

How to open task manager in remote desktop 3 ways

Updated on April 14, 2022

4 mins Read

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The Windows Task manager is pretty much well known to all Windows users who have at least once tried to troubleshoot their slow operating system. The solution always works and provides access to running tasks that are consuming CPU power. But, if you are working remotely, how would you open the remote desktop task manager?

That is the question we will be answering in this article. We will teach you how to open the task manager in a remote desktop in simple steps so you can keep troubleshooting your Windows even remotely. But first, you need to know more about the remote desktop.

What is a remote desktop task manager?

As the name implies, remote desktop task manager is a utility of Windows that manages running tasks. It is a troubleshooting tool that shows how much resources such as CPU, disc space, memory, Wi-Fi, ethernet, and GPU are being used for each task. It also allows you to end any task that is not responding or even draining resources.

It has an Applications tab that lists all programs that are running. The Services tab shows the status of any Windows background services that are being used. The Processes tab shows all executables that are working, which includes both applications and background services, along with the level of resources being consumed by each running process. The Performance tab gives a big picture of all resources in real-time. Any user on the remote desktop is listed in the Users tab. All applications that are launched at startup are listed in the Startup tab.

Task manager remote desktop is the first line of administration when your remote desktop has latency or not responding at all. However, a reliable RDP Server shouldn’t have any latency. So, the smartest move is to choose a high-performance RDP Server such as Cloudzy that has an excellent track record of services.

3 ways to open Windows task manager in remote desktop

Now that you know more, you can learn about how to open the task manager in a remote desktop connection. There are different ways that work in different situations depending on your device type or setting:

Key Combination

If you always like quick and clean solutions, key combinations are made for you. There are two different sets of key combinations that can be used on a remote desktop. The first is the default key combinations that are used in local machines, and the second is specifically designed for remote desktops. You have the choice to use either of the sets.

When you click on the Remote Desktop Connection icon, a dialog box opens; choose Show Options, then select the Local Resources tab; in the Apply Windows Key Combinations drop-down, you will see three options:

On this computer: the default key combination works only on the local machine and alternate key combinations on the remote desktop.
On the remote computer: the default key combination works only on the remote desktop and alternate key combinations on the local machine. However, they return to default once you end the session.
Only when using the full screen: the default key combination works on either of the local and remote desktops, which has the full screen.

Now, what are the default and alternate key combinations? See below:

The default key combination involves pressing the following keys together:

Ctrl + Alt + Del

Alternate key combinations require the following keys pressed together:

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Ctrl + Alt + End

Windows key + X -> select Task Manager

These key combinations are like remote desktop connection task manager shortcuts that force the remote computer to directly launch it. Yet most users are not aware or used to taking advantage of them.

Right Click

If you’re more comfortable using your mouse or touchpad or if your keyboard doesn’t work, you need to navigate the Windows menu by right-clicking which is different for each Windows edition.

For example, in Windows XP, you need to:

Right-click the Taskbar -> select Task Manager

but in Windows 7 and 8:

Right-click the Taskbar -> select Start Task Manager

and in Windows 10 and 11:

Right-click the Start Icon -> select Task Manager

Clicking is still the most popular way to open a remote desktop task manager since it is doable on all device types, especially touch screen devices such as mobile or tablets that are not connected to a physical keyboard.

Command prompt

If you are a geek and enjoy typing commands for Windows to execute, then the followings are right for you:

In the lower-left corner of the taskbar, click:

Start->Run->type taskmgr

or hold the following keys together:

Windows key + R->type taskmgr

in any command prompt window ->type taskmgr

Command prompt is still the most technical-looking way of opening a remote desktop task manager, and most average users are not comfortable with it.

Also Read: How to Fix RDP an Internal Error has occurred?

2 ways to end tasks using the remote desktop task manager

After opening the remote desktop task manager and monitoring running tasks, you can use it to kill tasks in task managers that are not serving your current needs, not responding, or, even worse, consuming too much CPU power, slowing down the more important tasks. To do that, you have two options:

End a task:

To end a task, you have the choice of using Applications tab or Users tab.

In the Applications tab:

right-click or highlight the application -> select end task

In the Users tab:

expand the user’s name by clicking the arrow to the left of their name -> right click on the application name -> select end task

End a user:

To end a user, you can either highlight or right-click in the Users tab:

Highlight the user -> select Sign out

right-click on the User’s name -> select Sign off

After ending resource-consuming tasks and users, computing resources are freed, and the performance of your remote desktop will improve dramatically.

Reliable, high-performance RDP servers with 99.95 uptime. Take your desktop on the go to all the major cities in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Closing words

Remote desktop task manager is a handy tool when you need to quickly solve the performance problem of your remote desktop. It gives you access to the background world where processes are draining resources.

You can easily open task manager in a remote desktop server using the three ways we showed you in this Open RDP Task Manager Tutorial. Monitor the tasks and end the ones that are not responding or consuming too much CPU.

You can use RDP to remotely connect to all the major countries, such as USA servers .

What to do if remote desktop task manager doesn’t end a task?

Try force closing the task by pressing Alt + F4 together.

Is there any remote desktop task manager alternative?

Yes, there are several third-party software that do just that.

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View Processes On Windows Remote Computer (Remote Task Manager)

Use the Windows built-in tasklist.exe to view all processes on a remote Windows computer on a network. This is exactly how the Windows Task manager would show processes (without the username running the process). You can also kill an active remote process using taskkill.exe . Follow the steps below.

Open Windows command prompt as administrator (Right-click -> run as administrator).
Type the following command replacing the values to view all remote tasks on a remote target machine.

Note: SYSTEM is remote computer, USERNAME is the name of authorized account to login to remote computer, and PASSWORD is the password for the account .

You will see output of all process names, process id’s, and memory usage on the remote machine.

We will kill the cmd.exe process next using taskkill.exe . Type the following command replacing the value.

Note: SYSTEM is remote computer, USERNAME is the name of authorized account to login to remote computer, PASSWORD is the password for the account , and /IM PROCESS is the full name of the process.

You will see a confirmation message displayed: SUCCESS: The process “cmd.exe” with PID “” has been terminated.

A list of all TaskList.exe options:

A list of all TaskKill.exe options:

* Please use the comment form below . Comments are moderated. *

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Thank you for this useful information. Is there a way to use the tasklist command to output a list of all computers in a domain network running a specific process? If this is not practical/possible, is there a good way to get such a list using Powershell and "get-process" command?

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How to Open Task Manager on Remote Desktop

Task manager is used to managing multiprocessor and multi-threaded applications found in the Task Manager category in the Control Panel. It is responsible for bringing the desktop interface to life, while it also displays details regarding each of your current apps. Task Manager is a powerful and simple way to manage your tasks. You can also set reminders and create task lists, and even hide tasks to keep them off your screen.

In this task manager, you can create a new job and choose the type of job that you want to create. After choosing the type, enter the name of your job and choose whether the job should run automatically or not. Once you have posted your request, anyone in your network is able to see it on their Windows desktop or Windows phone.

Task manager in Remote Desktop

A remote desktop task manager can help you manage a Windows or Mac computer from any device. Use it to remotely log in and manage the desktop, find driver updates and other system information, install software or uninstall programs, or remotely shut down or log off the computer. Remote desktop task manager lets you manage and monitor your desktop computers from anywhere, on any device.

Run your tasks from anywhere with Remote Desktop Task Manager. It’s so easy to access and monitor your tasks, whether on your smartphone or another device. You can even start a timer from your computer that will automatically stop when the task is complete.

A task manager can help you organize tasks and stay productive by breaking them down into smaller pieces so that they are easier to track and complete. Task managers keep track of the actions they take on devices that can be used to track their time. Task managers make it easy to do the things that matter most, so you can focus on what’s really important. Working on a project can be exhausting and stressful, so it’s important to break down the process into smaller tasks and manage them in one place. A task manager is a tool that helps you keep control by setting goals and completing projects. You’re probably familiar with how apps stack up against other apps. But it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle, with all your activities, lists, and notes cluttering your desktop. To make use of them, you need a task manager.

A task manager on a Remote desktop is a powerful utility that is used to assign, change and prioritize tasks. It also manages all the processes running simultaneously on your computer. You can schedule or set reminders using it for meetings that you have with your team or for any other task assigned by your employers. It is a computer application or tool that allows users to organize tasks or projects. The Task Manager allows for the creation of subtasks, notes, and attachments. The tools are used to keep track of individual activities throughout your life, thus making it easier to manage them along with other personal information.

Task Manager is a useful tool to help you manage your time and tasks in Remote Desktop. Over time it would be harder to keep up with all the different tasks, but virtual assistants will come along and make work easier.

The process to open the Task Manager on the Remote Desktop

Another benefit of opening a task manager in Remote desktop mode is the ability to access multiple apps simultaneously. You can use it to quickly switch between applications or open multiple windows relative to each other (for example two browsers, a word processor, and a spreadsheet). A task manager is a program that allows you to organize and track your tasks. It makes it easy for you to create lists, prioritize your tasks and stay on top of your work. Start managing your time smarter with this handy tool.

This task manager will help you organize your tasks and save time by focusing on any project with a separate list of notes and tasks. As it has this multiple benefits so it is essential for a remote desktop user to open the task manager. Here are some of the steps that will simply guide you to open the task manager on your remote desktop. The steps are listed as follows:

First, you need to log in to your remote desktop web console. Using this console you can easily proceed to the next step.
Then go to the home tab and look for the computer option . Once you find an option, click on it. This will redirect you to a new page from where you need to find the system manager option.
Open the system manager page and go to the option as task manager.
Click on the task manager , this will show you the current process that is running in the system and at the same time, it displays startup programs.

This is not only a single process rather it has a number of other ways to use the task manager from a remote desktop. Going through this article will help you to gather more such information regarding the combination of task manager and remote desktop.

Viewing Task Manager remotely using a Remote Desktop

The Task Manager can be viewed remotely. Through a secure connection, the user can remotely view his tasks and activities from anywhere – even from another computer. Yes, Task Manager is a remote application with compatible functionality. You can view your tasks on your PC or mobile devices and get easy access to detailed information about each item like priorities, progress, and attachments. You can also use attachment uploaders for sending important documents or change their signatures using the Attachment Manager.

This is a Question from someone who wants to access the task manager remotely from another PC. Click “Remote Control” in the task manager to view the entire list of running programs on your computer. Task manager is an application that helps you to monitor and control the performance of your computer. You can view task managers remotely from any computer by using a web browser and authentication credentials supplied by the security policy.

Task Manager is a very useful tool that helps you identify the tasks running in your virtual machine, and provides information about the resources used by each one. This is another way to open Task Manager on a virtual machine, do one of the following:

Click the desktop icon .
Click the Start button or press the Windows key + R combination to launch the Run dialog box. Type taskmgr into the dialog box and press Enter.
There is another way where you need to use the ctrl+shift+escape or you can even use ctrl+shift+delete , using this command will have a number of options for you. From there you need to select the task manager option.

You can use the Windows Task Manager to view information about running processes, applications, and services. For virtual machines, you can also stop and start a virtual machine, view detailed resource usage information, and access other key features.

Killing a process using a Task Manager

You can use the task manager in the remote desktop to monitor task details and kill the application or even disconnect the screen share if necessary. Task manager is always a great way to keep your work clean and organized on a remote desktop. Tasks can be managed from your desktop, so you’ll never be far from where your team is working. Communicate with remote users via chat or IM, and keep everyone updated on progress by posting status updates.

If a process is running and you need to terminate it, then you will use the task manager normally to do so. You can access this from the task manager as well as many other places on your computer if you know how to find them. If you are using a remote desktop, then the exact method may vary depending on which program you are using. At first glance, one method is restarting the application client itself. Once this has been done and the software is still not working properly, then try closing down the connection between your machine and its host server.

The conclusion of task manager in remote desktop is to guide users to perform all the functions and their daily usage, especially for those that are using it for office work. By adding features to it, the user can create a better memory space and achieve more productivity. Streamline your projects with the Task Manager in Remote Desktop. You can make sure that important tasks are scheduled and assigned to individuals around the world, so everyone is on the same page.

Clear, efficient and intuitive work environment is necessary to be used every day. This will make your job easier and more comfortable to get the best results. This can be achieved by using Task Manager in Remote Desktop server, which eliminates the hassle of opening any application and opening the task applets by just pressing two buttons on your keyboard and assign the tasks to yourself or team members easily.