Many users are not happy with the new "modern" task manager which was introduced in Windows 8. Windows 10 comes with the same Task Manager app. Although some of its functions are not bad, like the performance graph, one might not really need them. The old Task Manager is faster, bug-free and provides a more reliable workflow of task management for me. It is familiar and the new one does not even remember the last active tab. So I am definitely one of those who want the good old, more usable Task Manager back in Windows 10. Here is how you can get it back without replacing any system files or modifying permissions.
There are actually many reasons to get back the classic Task Manager.
- The new Task Manager is significantly slow. It consumes more memory and CPU. A task manager should use the most lightweight resources as possible, to enable to quickly start it in emergencies when some process is taking up all of the CPU or memory. The old Task Manager starts instantly without UAC elevation, the new one takes forever to load.
- The old Task Manager remembers the last active tab, the new one does not.
- The new Task Manager shows everything in groups such as apps, background processes and Windows processes. Even if Microsoft's intention here may have been to organize it better, if you need to quickly locate a particular app or process, it takes far more time now because now the user needs to search for it in each group.
- The new Task Manager requires UAC elevation when UAC level is set to highest. This is because it needs trace data from Event Tracing for Windows (ETW). The old Task Manager ran just fine without elevation to show current user processes.
- The old Task Manager could be set to run at startup, minimized and hidden so it would start up in the notification area (system tray). The new Task manager, even if it is set from Task Scheduler to run as admin but minimized at startup, it does not minimize properly to the tray.
- There is no global status bar visible in the new Task Manager regardless of the active tab, showing the total number of processes, CPU usage and physical memory and/or commit charge.
- The old Task Manager showed the application name from the title bar. The new one gets its name from somewhere else. The document name is only shown in More Details view after expanding by clicking the arrow/triangle. Suppose there are 10 windows of an app open and 1 of them stops responding. With the old Task Manager, it was one glance away. With the new one, I must expand the arrow of each window to see if the not responding document is under one of those.
- The new Task Manager also breaks keyboard usability. On the Applications tab, I could press keyboard accelerator keys e.g. N for Notepad to jump to that app and use the keyboard to close it. This is not possible in the new one.
- Ctrl+ + key to auto-resize all columns to auto fit does not work on Processes, App History, Startup and Users tabs of the new Task Manager
- The options for the Networking tab "Show cumulative data" and "Reset adapter history" are removed.
- In the new Task Manager, you cannot set the column you want as the first column for the Processes, App History, Startup and Users tab. Only on the Details and Services tab, you can set the column you want as the first column. The first column is important because that is the order by which it sorts the data below the column, especially since the new one cannot remember any of its settings.
- Selection of multiple applications on the Processes tab (formerly Applications tab) is not possible. In the old Task manager, I could use Ctrl and Shift keys just like Windows Explorer to select multiple applications and do group window management actions or group End Task them.
- The naming and order of tabs is not the same and requires me to relearn the Task Manager for little benefit. What was previously the 'Applications' tab is now the 'Processes' tab. Unfortunately, there was also a 'Processes' tab before which is now the 'Details' tab. This is very confusing for those who have used the Task Manager for years. In old Task Manager, the order of tabs is Applications, Processes, Services, Performance, Networking and Users. In the new Task manager, it is Processes, Performance, App History, Startup, Users, Details and Services. The correct order should be Processes, Details, Services, Performance, App History (because this is a new tab), Startup (also a new tab), and Users as the last tab.
- Window management functions (Minimize, Maximize, Cascade, Tile Horizontally and Tile Vertically) on the Processes tab (formerly the Applications tab) and "Windows" menu are removed.
To get classic Task Manager from Windows 7 back in Windows 10, you need to do the following things:
- Download the setup program for old Task Manager in Windows 10 from the following web site: Old Task Manager for Windows 10
- Simply run the installer. It looks like this:
- Follow the steps in the installer wizard. After it finishes, start the Task Manager.
- You can see how much faster, responsive and logically laid out the old Task Manager is:
- The installer include the classic msconfig.exe with the startup tab in msconfig.exe so you will be able to manage your startup apps.
You are done. The article How to restore the good old Task Manager in Windows 8 explains what the installed does. In fact, it only automates all the steps mentioned in that article.
The package supports both Windows 10 32-bit and Windows 10 64-bit. It comes with almost the full set of MUI files, so it will be in your native language out-of-the-box. The following locale list is supported:
ar-sa
bg-bg
cs-cz
da-dk
de-de
el-gr
en-gb
en-us
es-es
es-mx
et-ee
fi-fi
fr-ca
fr-fr
he-il
hr-hr
hu-hu
it-it
ja-jp
ko-kr
lt-lt
lv-lv
nb-no
nl-nl
pl-pl
pt-br
pt-pt
ro-ro
ru-ru
sk-sk
sl-si
sr-latn-rs
sv-se
th-th
tr-tr
uk-ua
zh-cn
zh-hk
zh-tw
The installer is required only to install MUI files and register apps. It doesn't modify anything else in your operating system.
If you decide to revert to the default Task Manager, just uninstall the classic Task Manager from the Settings app\Uninstall a program as shown in the following screenshot:
That's it.
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Thanks for this, I have been waiting for someone to come out with this. Thanks much!
Enjoy.
I haven‘t thought about brining back the good ol‘ Task Manager but your strong arguments made me to change my mind. Well, at least to give a try :). Although clicking “Show processes from all users” button every time when there‘s a need to launch a program with administrative rights and not being able to see Modern app icons is annoying some of benefits definitely outweigh cons. By the way, 3rd point can be fixed easily by just unmarking “Group by type” option in View menu.
Why did you modify original EXE file a little bit?
what?
It is original untouched EXEs
Hash comparison
Original Task Manager extracted from MSDN Windows 7 SP1 Ultimade ISO image
MD5: 09F7401D56F2393C6CA534FF0241A590
SHA1: E8B4D84A28E5EA17272416EC45726964FDF25883
SHA-256: 6766717B8AFAFE46B5FD66C7082CCCE6B382CBEA982C73CB651E35DC8187ACE1
Modified Task Manager (unknown source)
MD5: 63EF8DCFF2AA9FD70F82F7CFB8F83724
SHA1: 3C9E395E4591676CBD92A99BB96DDFF79AA49C9B
SHA-256: CCF8A5C3F9743759C0AC2113FFB5B20F77BE181BFD8D6D8B4AB9FBB3593258EA
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Screenshot:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/551/20427244686_4ff0f74671_o.png
Who said I took files from Windows 7?
Why you compare hashes with Windows 7’s files?
Look at the file version of Windows 10 tm.
It is genuine Windows 10 files from boot.wim, not from Windows 7.
Sorry, my bad, I checked what you‘ve just said and you were right! I didn‘t know that you can extract files from boot.wim so I would always look into install.wim. This is why I was comparing your extracted files with those from Windows 7 as Windows 10‘s install.wim has already updated Task Manager.
Indeed.
Hello, still would have to return from the Windows 7 msconfig.exe, to customize startup, as it moved to the new Task Manager, and he replaced the old, can not be obtained then tweak to customize startup, thank you.
It would be handy but Autoruns for this purpose is far much better.
Great application! Thank you for it!
But It is possible to have it on my own operative system language?
Yep. You need copy MUIs for your langauge from the appropriate boot.wim.
Thanks!
Can you tell how to do it? Because 7-zip says “Can not open as compressed file”
Use the most recent beta or even aplha version of 7-zip.
Done it but all taskmgr.exe.mui I’ve found there are on english :S
any tip?
There must be a localized boot.wim
Inside it you should find the required file.
After I installed, I tried to open classic task manager, it stopped working on latest Windows 10 latest insider preview build! But it works on 10586!
Let me check.
Have you check it yet?
Yep. Works like a charm in Windows 10 build 14279 x64.
Try to re-install it?
i have tried disable windows defender and reinstalled again and it is working! thank you
I Love You Alicia
Super! Thanks!
One more reason: it requires theming and DWM, when theming disabled (Classic theme used) or when DWM switched off, the new Task Manager simply does not start.
Cool.
May I ask why you disable DWM?
I do not disable DWM but some people do it for various reasons (for instance, software compatibility).
I wasn’t aware something like this existed.
Thank you!
The reason I looked for this is because the Windows 10 task manager doesn’t show the speed at which you’re connected to the network (100Mbps, 1Gbps, etc) and it was very frustrating.
You’d think I can just look at the network graph in the task manager to determine the speed but it takes like 30+ seconds to update.
What I mean by that is that if you’re transferring a file across the network using a 1Gbps connection and look at the Windows 10 task manager, you’ll see that the graph only goes up to 100Kbps or even less. The reading will spike through the roof because you’re actually transferring @ 1Gbps but it takes a lot more time than it should for Windows to update the graph so that 1Gbps shows at the top of the graph instead of 100Mbps (or even less).
So anyway, as a sys admin I thank you!
I have used Task Manager to close tasks that have quit running and are frozen. I changed something one day and the page that usually came up when I opened Task Manager and was going to close a frozen task, did not appear. How can I get that page back? (The screen now looks like the one at the top of this page. Does that mean I was using an old Task Manager and the new one just showed up? I have changed to Windows 10 and believe the screen I need did appear after I change to Windows 10. If this is the new Task Manager, how do I remove a frozen computer without turning it off at the power button.)
I experienced the EXACT same occurrence as reported by Judy Smith (abv) ) and have the same question. Is the topic of this thread in response to this particular problem???
WOW SUCH GREAT
Reason 15: Can’t go straight to the resource monitor from Task Manager
Fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing this!
you are welcome.
Love the utility; just one issue; when I close and re-open the task manager is does not remember that I had selected “Show processes for all users”. Is it just me – how do I fix?
The checkbox requires the taskmgr to run as administrator, you can set the taskmgr to always run as admin, but you will get a annoying UAC prompt.
Downloaded twice “bring back the old task manager “. When I open it I get the message that it cannot run in my version of Windows. Running # 10 Build 1703 Home Edition. Am I doing something wrong?
I really like this, but I have one big problem: it is not possible to change startup applications. (Or if it is, then I haven’t been able to find a way to do so.)
Be sure to also get classic MSConfig which will let you change Startup applications: https://winaero.com/blog/get-classic-msconfig-exe-back-in-windows-10-and-windows-8/ Or even better, get Microsoft Autoruns.
Thanks! That did it.
The onedrive is saying that classic Task Manager download is no longer available?
oops never mind, something was going goofy with my one drive. It worked now.
Like Windows 7, this still has the bug where it won’t update a changed service’s running status. How amusing it wasn’t fixed in Windows 8/10.
Anyway, is there a way to temporarily run the ‘new’ task manager? I want to check certain things on it from time to time, but the only way seems to be to uninstall this program, which may potentially wipe settings (untested).
See Use both Task Managers at once in Windows 10 and Windows 8
I am new to Windows 10 and have noticed many of the changes to Task Manager. What bothers me the most is that there is no longer a Status column that indicates whether a program is “Running” or “Not Responding.” I am surprised that this change is not included on the list above. Sometimes a computer runs slowly, but it is not apparent which program is stalling. When that happened in Windows 7, I could go to Task Manager and immediately identify the problem by looking at the Status column on the Applications tab. But in Windows 10, I can’t find anything in Task Manager that indicates which programs are “Not Responding.” Even when a program is clearly frozen, I don’t see that indicated in Task Manager. The Details tab includes a Status column that indicates if a process is “Running” or “Suspended,” but I have never seen the words “Not Responding” in that column. How do I see which program or window isn’t responding? Am I missing something?
I am new to Windows 10 and have noticed many of the changes to Task Manager. What bothers me the most is that there is no longer a Status column that indicates whether a program is “Running” or “Not Responding.” I am surprised that this change is not included on the list above. Sometimes a computer runs slowly, but it is not apparent which program is stalling. When that happened in Windows 7, I could go to Task Manager and immediately identify the problem by looking at the Status column on the Applications tab. But in Windows 10, I can’t find anything in Task Manager that indicates which programs are “Not Responding.” Even when a program is clearly frozen, I don’t see that indicated in Task Manager. The Details tab includes a Status column that indicates if a process is “Running” or “Suspended,” but I have never seen the words “Not Responding” in that column. How do I see which program or window isn’t responding? Am I missing something?
Can I get it to display in English? My Win 10 machine is French, but the locale has been switched to english because I’m more comfortable in that language. Your Task Manager comes up in French and if it’s available in english, I’d like it better that way.
Thanks,
B
This app ignores Windows overall color theme. I’m running dark theme on my Windows 10, and the only app that’s bright white is this task manager. Any chance for a version, which respects personalization/theme settings?
The download link just sends me to MS One Drive. I don’t use One Drive. Anyway, is there anyway to download the old task manager?
I cannot seem to download this file (from here or from another ‘mediafire’ link I found online). It just says ‘fail’ or ‘file missing’. Is this still downloading/working for anybody else?
The download link works like a charm here. Please try with this link.
Unlike previous attempts, where it said ‘Download Failed’ – that link actually downloaded the file directly – but then it quickly deleted itself. Looks like my Anti-virus is blocking/removing it. I’ll try disabling and re-download. Thank you Sergey!
Thanks for your excellent work, but I use Windows 10 x64 v1909 18363.535 and I have to install the program several times because I cannot replace the original task manager. Is it a compatibility bug?
For some reason, This is affecting me too, This is either:
1. You have to reinstall Windows to make it work again
2. This problem is most likely to happen when you install it on drive other than C:\ (like you installed windows on D:\ instead).
“Minimize on use” no longer works in Windows 10 Build 1909. It always starts with the main window showing. Very annoying when set to start on system startup. Manageable, but annoying.
But more importantly “Prio” Process Priority Saver no longer works with this. VERY sad to lose that!
Been using both of these in Win 10 and love ’em. Thanks.
If I want to open the Windows 10 Task Manager for a moment for something, can I while I have these installed. Can I do a shortcut to something so I actually have both available? Similar to how you handle msconfig.
Thanks!
Would love to know if this is possible. Today I have a need for the NEW TM and cannot recall how to get there at all. Nor how to run both versions of msconfig. I don;t use it often enough to remember., But will write them down this time :)
Nah, i need this, thank you!!!
Task Manager uses more CPU and RAM than Chrome.
Can I download msi installer?
it doesn’t exist
If i enable show on top of other windows and close and reopen it taskmgr does not show on top of other windows.
I am on windows 11
thank you for this! how / where can I run _new_ Task Manager in case I want to “try it out” again? :)
https://winaero.com/how-to-restore-the-good-old-task-manager-in-windows-8/
Where can I find “es-mx” MUI files?
My system is in spanish but task manager and msconfig are installed in english. Please, help!
You can use the same trick with debugger with System Configuration (msconfig) as with Task Manager itself:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msconfig.exe]
“Debugger”=”C:\Program Files\ClassicTaskmgr\msconfig1.exe”
This way
– Only one, properly localized Control Panel entry for System Configuration remains.
– No UAC prompt when launching it.
Basically the old shortcut starts the installed extended msconfig instead of the default one.
Please, improve this package!
Good, but I found an issue with that. When I open the normal Task Manager, it instead opens up the Classic Task Manager. Can you try to fix this, Winaero?