How to Change Columns in Windows 11 Task Manager

This guide shows you how to change the columns in the Task Manager app on Windows 11. Customizing your view helps you see the information that matters most to you.

Why: You should manage columns to quickly spot which apps are using the most memory, CPU power, or disk space. This helps you troubleshoot slow computer performance.

What happens when done: Your Task Manager will display only the data you choose, making it much easier to read and manage your active programs.

The Task Manager app is essential for monitoring system resources. Starting with Windows 11 build 22557, it features a modern design and better hardware utilization tracking.

How to add or remove columns

You can change the columns on most pages in Task Manager by following these steps:

1. Open the Task Manager app or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. Select a page from the left menu, such as Processes, App history, Startup apps, or Users.
3. Right-click on any existing column title (like “Name” or “Status”).
4. Check the box to add a column or uncheck it to remove it.
5. You can also click and drag column titles to rearrange them.

Managing columns on the Details page

The Details page offers more granular data for advanced process monitoring. Follow these steps to change your view here:

1. Click on the Details page in the left menu.
2. Right-click on any column title.
3. Select Select column from the menu.

A pop-up window will appear. Check the boxes for the information you want to see and click OK.

Understanding Power Usage and System Stability

The Power Usage column is vital for identifying apps causing battery drain. High power usage often indicates background processes that are working too hard. Monitoring this helps you maintain system stability and extend laptop battery life.

NPU and GPU Engine Monitoring

Modern PCs now include an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for AI tasks. You can add the NPU column to see how AI features impact your hardware. Similarly, the GPU Engine column helps you track how much your graphics card is being used by specific apps.

Troubleshooting High CPU Usage

When your PC feels slow, focus on the CPU, Memory, and Disk columns. If you see high percentages, check the I/O Read/Write columns to see if a specific app is constantly reading or writing to your drive. This is often the culprit behind system lag.

Note: If you need to run advanced diagnostic commands, you can open the Command Prompt with admin privileges by typing cmd in the search bar, right-clicking it, and selecting “Run as administrator.”

Summary

Task Manager is a vital tool for monitoring your computer. By right-clicking column headers, you can easily add or remove data points to focus on the information you need. Whether you are tracking battery drain via Power Usage or checking NPU activity, customizing these views allows you to keep a closer eye on your computer’s health and performance. For more details, visit the official Microsoft documentation.