Monitoring and limiting resource-heavy applications in Windows Task Manager is a key method for improving system performance and productivity. By using the Processes and Performance tabs, you can pinpoint, sort, and manage applications consuming excessive CPU and Memory.
1. How to Monitor CPU and Memory Utilization
Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select "Task Manager".
Detailed View: If it opens in a small window, click "More details" at the bottom.
Monitor in "Processes" Tab: This tab lists all running apps. The CPU and Memory columns show real-time usage percentages and megabytes (MB).
Monitor in "Performance" Tab: This tab provides historical graphs for CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network, allowing you to identify, for instance, if your CPU usage is consistently near 100%.
2. Identifying Heavy Usage Applications (Sort by CPU/Memory)
To find out which applications are causing slowdowns, you can sort by usage:
Sort by CPU: In the Processes tab, click the CPU column header. Click it again to toggle between ascending and descending order, ensuring the highest usage is at the top.
Sort by Memory: Click the Memory column header to sort by RAM usage.
Identify Culprits: Applications that are "hogging" resources will appear at the top. A browser with multiple tabs, video editors, or hung processes are common culprits.
3. Limiting Applications to Enhance Work Efficiency
Once you have identified a resource-heavy application, you can manage it to free up resources for more important tasks:
End Task (Immediate fix): Right-click the unresponsive or heavy application and select "End task".
Set Priority (System-level management):
Go to the Details tab.
Right-click the application's .exe file.
Select Set priority and choose Low or Below Normal to prevent it from slowing down the rest of your system.
Set Affinity (Limit to specific CPU cores):
In the Details tab, right-click the application.
Select Set affinity.
Uncheck some processors to limit the application to specific cores, leaving others free for your main work application.
Disable Startup Items: Go to the Startup apps tab (in Windows 11) or Startup tab (in Windows 10) to disable unnecessary apps from running at boot, which reduces background resource consumption.
4. Advanced Monitoring and Tips
Resource Monitor: In the Performance tab, click "Open Resource Monitor" at the bottom for a detailed breakdown of which processes are accessing your disk, network, and memory.
Analyze Wait Chain: In the Details tab, you can right-click a hung application and select "Analyze wait chain" to see if it is waiting for another process, allowing you to close the dependent process to fix the issue.
Manage Background Apps: Use the Settings app > Privacy > Background apps to turn off non-essential apps' ability to run in the background.
Note: Be cautious when closing processes in the "Details" tab, as some are essential for Windows to operate.