Use Task Manager to Check CPU, Memory and Disk Usage
Find why your PC is slow by checking CPU, memory, disk and startup apps.
Open Task Manager
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc – the fastest way.
- Right-click the Start button → Task Manager.
- Ctrl + Alt + Del → Task Manager (works even when the screen seems frozen).
If you see only a small list of apps, click More details. In Windows 11 the pages are on the left: Processes, Performance, App history, Startup apps, Users, Details, Services.
What CPU, Memory, Disk and Network mean
| Column | Simple meaning | Normal | Worry when |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | How busy the processor (the brain) is | 5–30% while browsing | Stays above 80–90% for minutes |
| Memory (RAM) | Short-term working space for open apps | 40–70% | Above 85–90% – PC starts using the disk instead, very slow |
| Disk | How busy the storage drive is | Short spikes | 100% for a long time, especially on a hard disk (HDD) |
| Network | Internet/LAN data right now | Depends on use | High while you are not downloading anything – check which app |
| GPU | Graphics processor | Low for office work | High in games/video editing is normal |
Click any column heading to sort. The top line shows the total, for example CPU 34%, Memory 78%.
Find the app that slows your PC
- Open Processes and click the Memory heading to sort – the biggest user goes to the top. Repeat for CPU and Disk.
- Expand an app (click the arrow) to see its parts, e.g. each Chrome tab.
- If an app you are not using is near the top, close it normally first (save your work).
- If it does not respond, select it → End task.
The Performance page: how much RAM and what drive?
- Memory: total RAM (e.g. 8.0 GB), how much is in use, and Slots used: 1 of 2 – a free slot means you can add RAM.
- Disk 0 (C:): the Type shows SSD or HDD. An HDD at 100% is the most common reason for a slow laptop.
- CPU: processor name, speed and Up time – if it shows many days, restart the PC.
Startup apps
The Startup apps page lists programs that start with Windows and their Startup impact. Right-click → Disable for anything you do not need immediately. This often cuts boot time a lot. More fixes: speed up a slow computer.
Real situations and what to do
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Disk 100% after switching on, for 10–15 minutes | Often Windows Update or antivirus scan – let it finish once; consider an SSD. |
| Memory 90% with Chrome on top | Close tabs, turn on Memory Saver, remove extensions. |
| An unknown name using high CPU or network all the time | Right-click → Open file location / Search online; run a Windows Security full scan. |
| Screen frozen in one app | Ctrl + Shift + Esc → select the app → End task. |
| Taskbar or Start menu not responding | Processes → Windows Explorer → right-click → Restart. |
Task Manager खोलें
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc – सबसे तेज़ तरीका।
- Start button पर right-click → Task Manager।
- Ctrl + Alt + Del → Task Manager (screen अटकी लगे तब भी चलता है)।
सिर्फ़ apps की छोटी list दिखे तो More details पर click करें। Windows 11 में pages बाईं ओर हैं: Processes, Performance, App history, Startup apps, Users, Details, Services।
CPU, Memory, Disk और Network का मतलब
| Column | सरल अर्थ | सामान्य | चिंता कब |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Processor (दिमाग़) कितना व्यस्त है | Browsing में 5–30% | कई मिनट 80–90% से ऊपर |
| Memory (RAM) | खुले apps के लिए अल्पकालिक कार्य-स्थान | 40–70% | 85–90% से ऊपर – PC disk इस्तेमाल करने लगता है, बहुत धीमा |
| Disk | Storage drive कितनी व्यस्त है | छोटे उछाल | देर तक 100%, ख़ासकर hard disk (HDD) पर |
| Network | अभी का Internet/LAN data | इस्तेमाल पर निर्भर | कुछ download न करते हुए भी ऊँचा – देखें कौन सा app |
| GPU | Graphics processor | Office काम में कम | Games/video editing में ऊँचा होना सामान्य |
किसी भी column heading पर click करके sort करें। सबसे ऊपर की line कुल दिखाती है, जैसे CPU 34%, Memory 78%।
PC धीमा करने वाला app ढूँढें
- Processes खोलकर Memory heading पर click करके sort करें – सबसे बड़ा उपयोगकर्ता ऊपर आता है। CPU और Disk के लिए दोहराएँ।
- App का arrow खोलकर उसके हिस्से देखें, जैसे हर Chrome tab।
- जिस app का इस्तेमाल नहीं कर रहे वह ऊपर हो, तो पहले सामान्य रूप से बंद करें (काम save करके)।
- Respond न करे तो उसे चुनें → End task।
Performance page: कितनी RAM और कौन सी drive?
- Memory: कुल RAM (जैसे 8.0 GB), कितनी इस्तेमाल में, और Slots used: 1 of 2 – ख़ाली slot का मतलब RAM जोड़ सकते हैं।
- Disk 0 (C:): Type में SSD या HDD दिखता है। 100% पर HDD धीमे laptop का सबसे आम कारण है।
- CPU: processor का नाम, speed और Up time – कई दिन दिखे तो PC restart करें।
Startup apps
Startup apps page उन programs की list और Startup impact दिखाता है जो Windows के साथ शुरू होते हैं। तुरंत न चाहिए वालों पर right-click → Disable। इससे अक्सर boot time बहुत घटता है। और सुधार: धीमा computer तेज़ करें।
असली स्थितियाँ और क्या करें
| स्थिति | क्या करें |
|---|---|
| चालू करने के बाद 10–15 मिनट Disk 100% | अक्सर Windows Update या antivirus scan – एक बार पूरा होने दें; SSD पर विचार करें। |
| Chrome ऊपर, Memory 90% | Tabs बंद करें, Memory Saver चालू करें, extensions हटाएँ। |
| कोई अनजान नाम हमेशा ऊँचा CPU या network ले | Right-click → Open file location / Search online; Windows Security full scan चलाएँ। |
| किसी app में screen अटकी | Ctrl + Shift + Esc → app चुनें → End task। |
| Taskbar या Start menu respond नहीं कर रहा | Processes → Windows Explorer → right-click → Restart। |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal CPU and memory usage in Task Manager?
While browsing or using Office, CPU is usually 5–30% and memory 40–70%. Short spikes are normal. Problems start when CPU stays above 80–90% or memory above about 85% for long periods.
Why is my disk always at 100%?
Most often the computer has a hard disk (HDD) that cannot keep up with Windows, updates and antivirus scans. Let updates finish, reduce startup apps, check for malware, and upgrade to an SSD for a lasting fix.
Is it safe to end tasks in Task Manager?
It is safe for normal apps you opened (unsaved work will be lost). Do not end Windows system processes you do not recognise.
