02 / POWER · 6 min read
How to Open and Use the Mac Task Manager
Looking for the Windows Task Manager on a Mac? It is called Activity Monitor. Here is how to open it, how to close a frozen app, and how to see how busy your Mac is.
The Mac version of Task Manager is Activity Monitor, found in Applications → Utilities. To open it fast, press Command + Space, type Activity Monitor, and press Return. To close a frozen app without opening it, press Command + Option + Escape (⌘⌥⎋) to open the Force Quit window.
If you are coming from Windows, you may be looking for Ctrl + Alt + Delete or Ctrl + Shift + Esc. A Mac has no identical shortcut, but it has simple tools that do the same jobs.
Method 1: Open Activity Monitor
Activity Monitor is the Mac's task manager. It lists the apps and background tasks that are running and shows how much of your Mac each one uses:
- Press Command + Space (⌘Space) to open Spotlight.
- Type
Activity Monitorand press Return. - Or open Finder, go to Applications → Utilities, and double-click Activity Monitor.
- Use the tabs at the top (CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, Network) to see different things. Click a column heading such as % CPU or Memory to put the busiest items at the top.
Method 2: Force Quit a Frozen App (⌘⌥⎋)
If an app freezes and shows the spinning wheel, you do not need Activity Monitor:
- Press Command + Option + Escape (⌘⌥⎋).
- The Force Quit Applications window lists your open apps. An app that is stuck may show Not Responding in red.
- Select the app and click Force Quit.
Method 3: Force Quit from the Dock
If the app's icon is in the Dock:
- Right-click (or Control-click) the app's icon.
- Hold down the Option (⌥) key.
- Quit changes to Force Quit. Click it.
Close a Process in Activity Monitor
If something you cannot see is slowing your Mac down, find it in Activity Monitor, select it, and click the Stop (X) button in the toolbar. Choose Quit, or Force Quit if it does not respond.
Why Not Leave Activity Monitor Open?
Activity Monitor is made for checking a problem, not for staying on your screen all day. When you only want a quick look at how busy your Mac is, a small display in the menu bar is easier.
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Do not quit processes you do not recognize, especially ones that belong to macOS itself. They keep your Mac running. If you are unsure, leave it alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mac shortcut for Task Manager?
There is no single shortcut like Ctrl + Alt + Delete. To open Activity Monitor, press Command + Space, type Activity Monitor and press Return. To close a frozen app, press Command + Option + Escape (⌘⌥⎋).
What is the Mac version of Task Manager called?
Activity Monitor. It shows what is using your processor, memory, battery, disk and network.
Why does Activity Monitor slow my Mac down when it is open?
It keeps updating its lists and graphs while it is open, which uses a little of your Mac's power. Close it when you are done, and use a small menu-bar display for a quick look.
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