This method is pretty helpful if your system is unresponsive for whatever reason. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys together on the keyboard, the security screen should open. If you’re at the Command Prompt, run the taskmgr command and you can also bring up the Task Manager. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box. This method allows you to use the mouse only and simply ignore the keyboard, making it the likely preferred method of those who like using the mouse instead of the keyboard. The Task Manager will launch immediately. Right-click the empty space on the taskbar, and then select “ Task Manager” from the context menu. This keyboard shortcut is a global hotkey, means it is available from any app you running and even when your Explorer shell is not running! This should be the simplest way to launch Task Manager. Just press Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination on your keyboard and it can open the Task Manager directly. In this tutorial we’ll show you 5 quickest ways to open the Task Manager in Windows 10 and Windows 8. There are multiple ways you can launch Task Manager. We usually use it to check the overall performance of our computers or close a program that stops responding (hangs). Task Manager is one of the most-used system utilities in Windows.