Windows · Open Task Manager
System
Windows · Linux
Ctrl+Shift+EscMac
Not on this systemOpens Task Manager directly, one step shorter than going through the security screen with Ctrl+Alt+Delete, which is what you want when something is frozen.
- Group
- System
- Keys held
- 3
Win-key combinations are captured before any program sees them — nothing can clash with them, and nothing can override them either.
Reading the key names
- Keys joined by + are pressed together: Ctrl+Shift+P means hold Ctrl and Shift, then P.
- On a Mac, Cmd is ⌘, Option is ⌥ (labelled Alt on some keyboards), Control is ⌃ and Shift is ⇧.
- Windows Ctrl usually becomes Cmd on a Mac, but not always — this reference lists both combinations separately.
- With a Korean, Japanese or Chinese input method active, shortcuts built on letter keys may not fire. Switch to Latin input and try again.
- When a combination does nothing, another program has often claimed it as a global shortcut first.
Common questions
QWhat is the shortcut for Open Task Manager in Windows?
Opens Task Manager directly, one step shorter than going through the security screen with Ctrl+Alt+Delete, which is what you want when something is frozen. It is Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows and — on a Mac.
QIs it the same on Windows and Mac?
No — Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows, — on a Mac.
QHow many keys is that?
3 pressed together. The combination sits under System in Windows.