15 Task Manager Alternatives for Greater Productivity
The Windows Task Manager tool is a crucial component of the operating system, and almost everyone has used it on a computer. Closing programs that are no longer responsive to clicks and commands is the most common use of this feature.
In addition, the Task Manager provides you with information on the resources that are accessible to you. How they are being used, the performance of your Windows device, and other things.
Read this roundup to learn about the best task manager alternatives if you’re sick of using the default Task Manager and want to find a different program that better suits your needs.
A task manager: What is it?
Administrators and future users can monitor, control, and troubleshoot activities with the aid of Task Manager, a feature of the Windows operating system (OS). A task is a fundamental programming construct that an operating system manages.
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All versions of Windows NT, XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 come with Task Manager. The features and functionality of Task Manager vary slightly between Windows versions. Still, they can always be accessed by hitting the Ctrl+Shift+Esc key combination, the Ctrl+Alt+Del key combination, or by right-clicking the taskbar & selecting Task Manager from the context menu.
When the system becomes overworked or uncooperative, it may be required to restart or shut it down using Task Manager. The current logged-on end users are also listed in Task Manager. To help you with login or connectivity difficulties, users can be selected and unlogged from the system.
It’s crucial to keep remembered that Task Manager is a fundamental tool and cannot perform advanced monitoring or management tasks like alerting. Businesses can use Task Manager software from a third party to handle more demanding roles. Process Explorer, for instance, presents comprehensive information for IT professionals who need to know about processes in detail.
Task management software advantages
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Using a task management application can help businesses keep their teams, departments, and team members all on the same page. The following are the primary benefits of using task management software:
Centrally located: It is much simpler for team members to collaborate and managers to keep track of the status of projects when all tasks for each project are kept on different boards or charts, along with documents and files.
Easily accessible: You should be able to access the information and files wherever you have an internet connection because most task management software is software as a service (SaaS). You can work from a browser, an installed PC program, an app on your phone, or an app on your tablet.
Many perspectives: Task management software includes a variety of perspectives, such as Gantt charts and timelines, calendars, and Kanban boards, to make it usable for all types of workers.
Boosts productivity: Workflow automation can lessen the monotonous tasks that team members or managers must complete every day or every week.
Increases teamwork: Teams can collaborate on the same tasks or subtasks as well as the overall project much more quickly when task management software is used.
Simple job delegation: By using task management software, you may cut down on the number of emails and meetings with team members.
Work was required: Create the job in your software, assign it to the formal team member, and add any vital information, including due dates and notes.
Break up large tasks: By allowing subtasks, specific task management software makes it convenient to share work across team members. This guarantees that no one is overworked and that jobs are finalized more quickly.
Method for Picking the Best Task Management Software
Here I’ll summarize the process for you if you’re curious about how to choose the best task management program. To begin with, I used task management tools with a lot of positive user feedback.
Then, using my knowledge of digital project management, I determined which essential qualities task management software should possess and evaluated each of them against the others.
- Process Explorer
The Task Manager should be replaced with Process Explorer, a program created by the Microsoft Windows Sysinternals team. The running processes are arranged tree-like, making it easier for you to determine who launched each process and application.
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Additionally, the program provides specifics on each process that is now operating and statistics on resource utilization. In addition, Process Explorer has a robust search function that lets you quickly locate a specific software or application that is currently running on your Windows device.
Place the target icon, which is adjacent to the binocular icon, on the window of the programme you want to use this feature with by either right-clicking it or pressing and holding it.
- Process Hacker
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You may manage your system using the open-source alternative to Windows Task Manager called Process Hacker.
Like Process Explorer, it is offered in installation and portable versions. The system processes overview displays a highly detailed, hierarchical, color-coded tree. Although there isn’t a bottom pane, right-clicking on a process will reveal all the information you need about it.
Now explain why Process Hacker is rated lower than Process Explorer because Process Hacker’s development could be more active. Even though Process Hacker has a GitHub page, the most recent stable release as of this writing is dated 2016.
- System Explorer
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Even though it goes by a generic label, System Explorer differs from your typical Task Manager alternative. It not only aids in process management but also has several features that can improve system security and offer protection against disasters. A portable version is available too.
My favorite feature is viewing per-process CPU utilization data for the previous minute, hour, and day. You may view system performance in real-time, which provides granular information like the number of page faults and the percentage of system interrupts.
Snapshots are yet another noteworthy characteristic. For more effective troubleshooting, you can use System Explorer to produce a file, registry, or file+registry snapshots that you can compare to one another. Security scans are also available if necessary.
- Daphne
Although Daphne is a simple-looking, open-source alternative to Task Manager, it has much power. Yes, the vast amount of text and the primary user interface may initially overwhelm you, but once you discover what it can do, you’ll fall in love. Unfortunately, there isn’t a portable version available.
Daphne can terminate a process in four different ways: instantly, instantly, politely (non-forced), regularly, and politely. Do you want to complete a task on a specific day and time? Daphne enables and facilitates it. It also allows you to schedule process execution for specific days and hours.
In addition to discovering processes by window or windows by process, Daphne can rearrange processes, set alpha transparency, and even change the window.
- AntiVirus free Task Manager
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One of the best options for replacing Windows’ Task Manager is AnVir Task Manager Free. It allows you to track and monitor the behavior of your processes, services, startup applications, processor, and storage drives and delivers comprehensive information on each of them.
Applications that startup automatically, applications that are already operating, processes, services, drivers, and logs are divided into separate tabs on the user interface.
It provides information on the DLL files used by programmes, network inbound, and outbound traffic, the strain on storage systems, performance graphs, internet connections, etc.
Due to the information it gives you about the security risks associated with each running process, service, and launch of the app, AnVir Task Manager Free can also help locate dangerous malware.
- Yet Another (Remote) Process Monitor
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Yet Another (Remote) Process Monitor should be your choice if you require a Task Manager substitute that is more than just a task management application.
Nearly all of the capabilities required to monitor your programmes are present on the user interface, which is relatively straightforward.
These are the best task management options currently available online to control the processes on your computer. I hope you enjoy the article, and please tell your friends about it.
7. Glances
A cross-platform monitoring programme called Glances tries to provide much monitoring data through a Web or Cure interface. Depending on the size & capacity of the user interface, the information changes dynamically.
Additionally, the client-server mode is an option. You may use a terminal, a web interface, or an API to perform remote monitoring (XML-RPC and RESTful). Stats may also be exported to documents or third-party time- and value-based databases.
Glances is a Python application that pulls data from your system using libraries. Developers can add new plugins or export modules because it is built on an open architecture.
8. Stacer
Stacer, an open-source system maintenance and optimization tool, offers many more features than BleachBit. Stacer allows you to control a wide range of components of your Linux system. A lot of ardent Linux users would be unwilling to use a programme to perform tasks that they typically perform via the terminal.
When necessary and whenever it helps me complete tasks more quickly, I prefer to use the terminal. Stacer is a tool that will make your life easier, especially if you are new to Linux, and aside from that, I am alright with utilizing software with a GUI that makes my life easier.
Stacer can do and display various tasks, including managing startup apps. Managing (adding or removing) APT repositories is the last step after clearing the system of logs and emptying the recycle bin, searching for any files, monitoring and managing processes that are now operating, uninstalling packages, and monitoring and killing running services.
9. WinUtilities Process Protection
WinUtilities Process Security is a well-liked task management substitute. It is expertly able to control and monitor services and processes. Many readers may have previously used it or read about it.
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Anyhow, the app’s success stems from the fact that it is solid and trustworthy. Users are given crucial information about the active processes on the device. In addition, the app alerts you to the apps that must be launched as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, your device can freeze or run slowly. Finally, you can stop using the procedures you believe are no longer necessary. It is necessary to pay attention to the app’s security features. Your computer or laptop is protected from malicious software and undesirable viruses.
We also want to highlight how superior its user interface is to the competition. In a way, even inexperienced users can become accustomed to this alternative’s operations and processing. More than simply a task manager, WinUtilities combines all fundamental Windows utilities, registry backup, and an uninstall manager into a single application.
10. TaskInfo
One other excellent choice is TaskInfo. Be aware of its low placement on our list. The best apps sometimes come out first. Although it might not be as fast as an app like Process Explorer or Process Hacker, it still serves your purpose.
A collection of system information tools is provided to assist you in running the threads and processes. In addition, you can check to see whether any processes are executing viruses.
This manner prevents undesirable spyware and worms from infecting your device. Additional information is given to you, such as how much memory and CPU are used.
11. KSysGuard
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KSysGuard, also known as KDE System Guard, will eventually replace the present KSysGuard with a “new” KDE tool dubbed System Monitor, which should be rendered as System Monitor in Spanish.
Follow the system. Since it has already been made available in code form, developers can now compile it and include it in their distributions. However, future iterations of operating systems that use KDE software will already include the update by default. Although the timing has yet to be stated, that is the goal. Nate Graham has informed us of many more changes in addition to this very significant one. After the cut, they are available.
12. GNOME System Monitor
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This belongs to the GNOME software group. In addition to their well-known GNOME desktop environment, GNOME offers various utilities to simplify your life. There is a reasonable probability that GNOME Machine Monitor is already installed on your system if it starts up with the GNOME desktop environment.
The programme is accessible on all Linux operating systems. Because GNOME System Monitor is already a part of the Ubuntu software repository, accessing Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based systems will be more straightforward. Installing the “Snap” package is the best approach to using the programme on different operating systems.
13. Resource Monitor
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We typically use the Task Manager to investigate why Windows is sluggish or freezing. Resource Monitor (resmon.exe) is the ideal programme for the job if you need to understand how Windows and its apps use your computer’s resources.
The data is clear, updated, grouped by resources, and displayed in graphs. You can observe how the CPU, RAM, disc, and network are being used.
You can make the Resource Monitor window full-screen to get a better view of what’s happening. You can also drag the bottom border of each window on the left to display more or fewer data at once.
Change the dimensions of the panels on Resource Monitor’s Overview tab. Change the dimensions of the panels on Resource Monitor’s Overview tab. The charts on the right give you a graphical presentation of the totals, and each window displays a list of the programmes that are currently utilizing resources.
14. DTask manager
We chose DTaskManager because of its simple user interface and excellent lightweight nature. Its accomplishments will thrill users. For installation, 500 kilobytes is all that is needed.
Bravo for doing that.
Additionally, it has several other functions that the task manager does not offer. Other ways to end a programme include Force Quit and End Task.
Don’t let its poor reviews or lack of features mislead you; you should at least try it out before making a decision.
15. What’s Running
Another option to think about is What’s Running, and we’ll explain why. This app’s ability to demonstrate a wide variety of tasks is its most robust feature. You only need to click once to accomplish it.
The immediate display of the CPU, RAM, I/O activity, and other metrics. The app’s primary function is to find programmes that are hogging resources and taking up unnecessary space.
The details are provided once the process name is compared to the database it has.
Additionally, snapshots for entire months are provided, allowing for comparison.
You can determine whether you’ve benefited from it in this way. With a tabular display of the programmes, starting items, and other items, you can see all the processes that are now active.