How to Use Task Manager to Close CPU-Hogging Apps

If your computer is running slowly, the culprit is often an application consuming excessive CPU resources. The Task Manager is a powerful built-in tool in Windows that allows users to identify and close CPU-hogging applications to improve system performance. Here’s how you can use Task Manager to close these apps and regain control over your PC’s speed.

Step 1: Open Task Manager

To access the Task Manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously. Alternatively, you can right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu. Once open, you’ll see a list of currently running applications and background processes.

Step 2: Identify CPU-Intensive Processes

In the Task Manager window, click on the Processes tab. Here, you can view a list of all active programs and processes. To identify CPU-hogging apps, click on the CPU column header to sort the processes by their CPU usage. The processes using the highest percentage of CPU will appear at the top of the list.

Step 3: Close Unnecessary Apps

After identifying the apps consuming excessive CPU resources, select the problematic app by clicking on it. Then, click the End Task button at the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window. This will close the selected app, freeing up CPU resources.

Step 4: Monitor Your System Performance

After closing CPU-hogging apps, switch to the Performance tab to monitor your system’s CPU usage. A significant drop in CPU usage indicates that the issue has been addressed.

Tips to Prevent High CPU Usage

To prevent high CPU usage in the future, ensure your software is up to date, avoid running too many programs simultaneously, and consider uninstalling unnecessary apps. Regularly scanning for malware can also help prevent malicious processes from consuming your CPU resources.

By using Task Manager effectively, you can keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.