Windows devices Task Manager helps users to close an unresponsive or problematic app quickly.
Microsoft has made a few modifications to the taskbar with the latest Windows 11 update. The company redesigned the Task Manager app and added new features to improve user experience.
The Task Manager app’s design or feature has remained unchanged. However, Microsoft has added a new Mica UI material, a new icon, and rounded the app corner in the Windows 11 22H2 update. Before accessing these features, you must enable the new Task Manager.
You can also disable the Task Manager anytime from your Windows 11 device. It is important to mention that you must download and install an open-source command line utility like Vivetool to enable or disable the new Task Manager.
Learn the easy steps to enable the new Task Manager on your Windows 11 PC:
Quick Steps to Enable the New Task Manager in Windows 11
Before enabling the Task Manager, check if your Windows device runs the 22H2 update. Press the Windows and I keys simultaneously to access the Windows Settings app and scroll down to the Windows Update option.
Head to the Update History option, tap on it, and check the last update version. If it is Windows 11 version 22 H2, follow these steps to enable the new Task Manager:
1. Install the ViveTool app
An unwanted network problem can interrupt the ViveTool app download or installation process. Thus, connect your Windows 11 computer with a stable internet connection. Open a reliable web browser, go to the search bar, and write “Vibetool download for Windows 11”.
Tap on the ViveTool 0.3.3 download link and ensure at least 392 KB of space on your Windows device. Go to the browser’s download section and tap on your downloaded ZIP file. You will always find the latest ViveTool release on the GitHub website.
2. Extract the ViveTool Zip file
Extract the ViveTool’s ZIP file using a third-party tool once the download is complete. Don’t have an app to extract this file on your Windows 11 device? Right-click on the ZIP file and select “Extract All” when the pop-up menu opens. Alternatively, open File Explorer and choose the Extract All option from the ribbon toolbar.
3. Save the Extracted File on Your PC
Choose “Extract” and tap “Browse” to select a location to store the extracted file. Put a tick mark next to the Show extracted files when complete option and click “Extract” to save the VivoTool file.
4. Copy the Current File Location Path
Copy the VivoTool file location using the Ctrl and C keyboard shortcuts. Paste the location path in your Windows 11 device’s Notepad app or clipboard. You will need this to enable the new Task Manager using the Command Prompt tool.
5. Access the Run tool
Press the Windows and X keys simultaneously and select “Run” from the built-in Windows apps list. You can also write “Run” in the search box in your Windows 11 device’s taskbar. Open the Run app from your computer, write “cmd, ” and press Enter.
6. Copy and Paste the ViveTool File’s Path
Open the Notepad or the clipboard where you have pasted the ViveTool file’s path. Press the Ctrl and C keys simultaneously to copy the path. Return to the Command Prompt window, press the Ctrl and V keyboard combination to paste it, and hit the Enter button.
7. Use the vivetool /enable /id:36860984 Command
Enter the vivetool /enable /id:36860984 command to enable the new Task Manager in your Windows 11 PC via ViveTool. A “Successful” message will appear on your screen if you have executed the commands correctly on the Command Prompt tool.
8. Start using the New Task Manager
Close the Command Prompt window using the Alt and F4 keyboard shortcuts. Restart your Windows 11 computer, and the new Task Manager will be enabled. You can now use the subsections to check app history, performance, startup apps, and other details.
Exclusive Features You Can Use in the New Task Manager
The redesigned Task Manager lets you switch between light and dark themes on a Windows 11 computer. Microsoft has moved all the tabs, including Processes, into a sleek navigation bar. You can find them easily in the left corner of the new Task Manager.
Moreover, the tabs in the Task Manager have icons that the Windows 10 or earlier version lacks. Windows 11 users can reduce the CPU or GPU usage by adding the background processes or apps in Efficiency mode. It uses the EcoQoS technology to prevent the apps or processes from using too much CPU or GPU power.
The apps that are in Efficiency mode allow the other important apps to run smoothly without slowing down the device’s performance. After enabling this new Task Manager mode, you will see a green leaf icon next to apps or processes.
How Can You Enable the Efficiency Mode in Windows 11 Devices?
Access the new Task Manager app from your Windows 11 computer or laptop. Go to the Processes section and choose a background process. Additionally, you select an app running in your Windows PC’s background from the Apps section in the Task Manager window.
Right-click on the app or process and select the Efficiency mode from the pop-up menu. Alternatively, you can select the app and go to the “Efficiency mode” tab in the new Task Manager. Press the Enter button or click “OK” when the confirmation window appears on the screen.
What else is New in the Task Manager in Windows 11?
Microsoft has relocated the action buttons like “Run New Task” or “End Task” to the Task Manager’s top. These action buttons will also change when you switch from one tab to another in the new Task Manager.
There will be a new navigation bar in this built-in Windows tool. However, this feature is currently unavailable for the Windows 11 users. Microsoft is still working on this Task Manager feature. They have yet to confirm the feature’s availability for Windows users.
Is the new Task Manager not Working on Windows 11? Try these Easy Fixes
Many Windows 11 users reported experiencing issues when using the new Task Manager to end a task or process. It also stops working, sometimes displaying a black screen. Restarting your computer or laptop often resolves this complicated Task Manager problem.
However, if the error persists, you must run the Windows system menu troubleshooter. A corrupted system file can prevent you from using the redesigned Task Manager. Thus, you must opt for a SFC scan to replace the corrupted files with their cached copies.
Restart the Windows 11 device after running the sfc/scannow command in the Command prompt. The problem might be with third-party programs installed on your device if the Task Manager isn’t working.
Run the Windows Security program to identify the problematic apps. Uninstall them from your computer to use the new Task Manager without glitches. Moreover, an out-of-date graphics driver can generate problems using the Task Manager.
Access the Device Manager window and check if an update is available for the pre-installed graphics driver. If yes, install the latest graphics driver on your Windows 11 device. Return to the Task Manager window, customize it, disable the Startup apps, or end the background processes without unwanted problems.
