6 Ways to Open the Task Manager in Windows 11

 Fastest ways: Right-clicking Start or Win key+ S. A desktop shortcut is another handy option

 

 

What to Know

• Search for Task Manager, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, or right-click Start and choose Task Manager.
• To create a shortcut, right-click the desktop and select New > Shortcut. Type taskmgr.exe and select Next.
• Enter taskmgr in the Command Prompt, Terminal, PowerShell, Run box, or File Explorer address bar.
  

This article explains how to open Task Manager in Windows 11. With Windows Task Manager, you can keep track of system processes, monitor resource usage, and force-stop applications.

How to Open Task Manager Using the Search Bar

The easiest way to access Task Manager in Windows 11 is to use the search bar.

Press the Windows Key+S or select Search (the magnifying glass icon) in the taskbar. If you don't see the Search icon, select Start (the Windows icon). 

 

 

 

To add the Search icon to the taskbar, right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and turn on the Search toggle.

In the search bar, enter Task Manager and select the app when it appears in the search results. 

 

 

 

Open Task Manager From the Taskbar

In the taskbar, right-click Start (the Windows icon) or press the Windows key+X to open the Power User Menu, then select Task Manager.

 

 

Open Task Manager With Keyboard Shortcuts

The keyboard shortcut to open Task Manager in Windows 11 is Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Alternatively, press the Windows key+X to open the Power User Menu, then press the T key.

Open Task Manager With Run Command

The Run command to open Task Manager is taskmgr. Press the Windows key+R or right-click Start (the Windows key) > Run in the taskbar and enter taskmgr in the Run box.

 

 

 

Open Task Manager From File Explorer

Another option is to access Task Manager from Windows File Explorer:

Select File Explorer (the folder icon) in the Windows 11 taskbar. 

 

 

Select the address bar at the top of File Explorer, type taskmgr, and press Enter.

 

 

Open Task Manager With Command Prompt

You can likewise use Windows Command Prompt, Powershell, or Windows Terminal to open Task Manager. Open any of these programs, type taskmgr.exe, and press Enter. 

 

 

How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for Windows Task Manager

If you want to make a desktop shortcut for Task Manager, follow these steps:

Right-click anywhere on the desktop and select New > Shortcut. 

 

In the pop-up window, type taskmgr.exe, and then select Next. 

 

 

 

You'll be asked to give your shortcut a name. Enter Task Manager, then select Finish. 

 

 

 

 The Task Manager shortcut will appear on your Windows 11 desktop. Select it to open the Task Manager any time you want. 

 

 

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8 Ways to Shut Down Windows 11

 Use the Power button, Start Menu, keyboard shortcuts, Command Prompt, or a desktop shortcut to shut down your PC

 

 

 

 

What to Know

• Press the Power button, select Start > the Power icon > Shut down, or press the WIN+D > Alt+F4 > Enter.
• Enter shutdown /s in the Command Prompt, Terminal, or PowerShell.
• To create a shortcut, right-click the desktop and select New > Shortcut. Type shutdown /s /t 0 and select Next.

This article explains how to shut down Windows 11. If you can't shut down Windows for some reason, there are several methods you can try.

How to Shut Down Windows 11 Using the Taskbar

The standard method for shutting down Windows is from the Start menu:

Select Start (the Windows icon) in the taskbar, or press the Windows key on your keyboard. 

 

 

 

If you don't see the taskbar, move the mouse to the bottom of the screen.

Select the Power icon in the lower-right corner of the Start menu. 

 

Select Shut down. 

 

 

How to Shut Down Windows 11 Using the Keyboard

The keyboard shortcut to shutdown windows is Alt+F4, but it only works from the desktop.

1. Press the Windows key+D to bring up your desktop.

2. Press the Alt key+F4.

3. When the shutdown menu appears, click OK or press Enter on keyboard. 

    

   
   
    

    

   How to Shut Down Windows 11 With Ctrl+Alt+Delete

   If your PC is frozen, you can always use Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart your computer:

4. Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys together, and then press the Del key.

5. Select the Power icon in the lower-right corner. 

    

   
   
    

 

Select Shut down.

Shut Down Windows 11 From the Sign-In Screen

You can turn off your computer as soon as it starts up. From the sign-in screen, select the Power icon in the lower-right corner, then choose Shut down.

Shut Down Windows 11 Using the Power Button

It's possible to turn off your PC with the Power button. You don't need to hold it down; just press the Power button on your computer.

If your PC goes to sleep instead of shutting down, open the Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options, > Choose what the power button does, then set When I press the power button to Shut down. Make sure to do this for both On battery and Plugged in. 

 

 

In the Power Options, you can also choose to shut down the computer when you close the lid if you're using a laptop.

Shut Down Windows 11 With the Power User Menu

Another option is to shut down your PC with the Windows Power User Menu. In the taskbar, right-click Start (the Windows icon) and select Shut down or Sign out > Shut down.

 

 

 

Shut Down Windows 11 With the Shutdown Command

Windows has a shutdown command that not only turns off your computer but can also be used to troubleshoot your PC if you're having problems.

Open Command Prompt, Powershell, or Windows Terminal, type shutdown /s, and press Enter. You'll see a pop-up that says “You're about to be signed out.” Your PC will shut down even if you close the pop-up window.

 

 

 

If you want your computer to shut down instantly without waiting, enter the command shutdown /s /t 0.

How to Create a Desktop Shortcut to Shut Down Windows 11

Finally, you can create a shutdown shortcut on your desktop:

Right-click anywhere on the Windows 11 desktop and select New > Shortcut. 

 

 In the pop-up window, type shutdown /s /t 0, and then select Next. 

 

 

 You'll be asked to give your shortcut a name. Enter Shut Down, then select Finish.

 

 

The Shut Down shortcut will appear on your Windows 11 desktop. Select it to instantly shut down your PC. 

 

 

 

 

 

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How to Fix It When Bluetooth Headphones Keep Cutting Out in Windows 11

 

Check your signal strength, interference, and then drivers. If those aren't it, we'll dive in further

 

 

When Bluetooth headphones keep cutting out on Windows 11, it’s usually due to interference from other wireless devices. This issue can also be caused by outdated drivers for the headphones, poor signal strength, low batteries, and choppy audio quality can even occur if you’re using the wrong Bluetooth profile.

What Causes Choppy Bluetooth Headphones Audio in Windows 11?

Choppy Bluetooth headphones audio in Windows 11 can be caused by a lot of things, but interference is the most common issue. Anything that causes radio interference can cause Bluetooth headphones to cut out, and you can also experience interference from Wi-Fi networks and other Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth audio problems can also be the result of driver issues, Windows 11 settings, and even the headphones trying to use the wrong Bluetooth profile. To determine exactly what is causing choppy Bluetooth audio, it’s necessary to check each of these potential issues.

How to Fix It When Bluetooth Headphones Keep Cutting Out

If you’re experiencing choppy audio from your Bluetooth headphones, or other Bluetooth devices keep cutting out, try these fixes:

1. Turn your Bluetooth off and then back on again. If your computer is having a temporary issue with Bluetooth connectivity, switching it off and back on can fix the problem.

   Click the Battery, Network, and Volume icon on the taskbar, click the Bluetooth button to switch it off, then click it a second time to turn it back on.

2. Turn your Bluetooth device off and then back on again. Switching your Bluetooth device off and then turning it back on will force it to reestablish a connection, which can fix problems where headphones are cutting out.

   You may also need to unpair the device and then pair it again.

   Have you paired your headphones to another computer or phone in the past? Unpair from that device, as it may be trying to connect and causing the choppy audio.

3. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter. Windows 11 has a built-in troubleshooter wizard that can fix a lot of Bluetooth problems, including connectivity issues and audio that cuts out.
   
   To run the Bluetooth troubleshooter: Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then locate Bluetooth, and click Run. The troubleshooter will automatically look for problems and fix them if possible.

4. Run the audio troubleshooter. If your other Bluetooth devices work fine, and it’s just your audio that cuts out, then try the audio troubleshooter. This is an automatic wizard as well, and it’s found in the same place as the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
   
   To run the audio troubleshooter: Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then locate Playing Audio and click Run.

5. Make sure you’re using the right Bluetooth profile. Some Bluetooth headphones are capable of functioning as headphones for listening to music, or as a headset for communication. When used with the latter profile, audio quality can be quite bad.
   
   To prevent your headphones from using the wrong Bluetooth profile: Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > More devices and printer settings, then right-click your headphones and select Properties. Click the Services tab, deselect Handsfree Telephony, and click OK.

6. Disable other Bluetooth devices. To check for Bluetooth interference from other devices, try switching them off or unpairing them from your computer. If that doesn’t work, try disabling Bluetooth on your phone and any other nearby devices.

   If switching something off causes your headphones to work correctly, the device you switched off is causing interference.

7. Change to a different Wi-Fi band. If your router supports 5GHz Wi-Fi, try switching to that, as Bluetooth uses the same spectrum as 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. You can also try switching the channel of your Wi-Fi network, or even temporarily shut off your Wi-Fi network to see if your Bluetooth problem goes away.

8. Remove other sources of interference. Anything that causes radio interference, even things like microwave ovens, can cause Bluetooth audio to drop out. Make sure there aren’t any sources of interference in the area, and check to see if your headphones work.

9. Disable audio enhancements. Windows 11 is capable of enhancing audio in a few ways, which can sometimes cause problems with Bluetooth audio. Try switching off the enhancements, and see if that fixes the problem. You can then leave the enhancements off, or switch them back on to see if the problem comes back.
   
   To disable audio enhancements: Open Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings, then click your Bluetooth headphones > Properties > Enhancements > Disable all enhancements and finally click Apply.

10. Reinstall your Bluetooth drivers. If you have a corrupt or bad Bluetooth driver, removing and reinstalling the drivers may fix the problem.
    
    To reinstall your Bluetooth drivers: Right-click the Start button (Windows icon), select Device Manager, then click the > next to the Bluetooth listing. Right-click on your Bluetooth headphones, and select Uninstall device.

    You can then restart your computer, and wait for it to rediscover your headphones. Alternatively, you can click Action > Check for hardware changes in Device Manager.

    You can also check for driver updates at this time by clicking Update driver instead of Uninstall device. If that doesn’t fix the problem, repeat these steps but uninstall and reinstall your Wi-Fi driver instead.

11. Restart the Bluetooth Support Service. The problem may be with your computer’s Bluetooth connectivity, in which case restarting the Bluetooth Support Service can get things working again.
    
    To restart this: Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and click OK. Then locate Bluetooth Support Service, right-click it, select Stop, then select Start. Then right-click it again, click Properties, and select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu.

12. Lower roaming aggression. This setting adjusts the behavior of your computer’s Wi-Fi network adapter. Try setting it to the lowest value, and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn’t, or it adversely affects your Wi-Fi connectivity, set it back to a higher level.

    To adjust your roaming aggression: Right click Start (Windows icon), and select Device Manager. Then click the > next to Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and click Properties. You can then select Advanced > Roaming Aggressiveness, set it to Lowest, then click OK.

13. Reposition your Bluetooth adapter. If you use a USB Bluetooth adapter, use a USB cable to move the adapter away from your computer. It may be experiencing interference, or it might just be too far away from your headphones. 

     

    
     

     

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7 Ways to Fix the 'Your PC Did Not Start Correctly' Error

 

Typically all you need to do is restart and be on your way, but if that doesn't work, it's time to dive in and find the problem

 

 

When your computer fails to boot into Windows, you may see the “your PC did not start correctly” error. This error indicates that something interrupted the boot process, which may or may not require your attention. You can sometimes fix the problem by restarting the computer, but there are a number of other fixes to try if that doesn’t work.

What Is the ‘Your PC Did Not Start Correctly’ Error?

This error indicates that something interrupted the Windows 11 boot process. The causes can include:

• When the computer loses power during the boot process or if the computer is shut down before Windows 11 can boot
• Incorrect configurations
• Bad drivers
• Recent Windows update

How to Fix the 'Your PC Did Not Start Correctly' Error

Since there are so many causes to this error, fixing it involves checking each possibility in order. If your PC boots into Windows 11 at any time, you can skip the rest of the steps and continue using your computer as normal. 

Here’s how to fix the “your PC did not start correctly” error:

1. Restart your computer. When this error occurs, the first step is always to try restarting your computer. If your computer only encountered a temporary problem, it will reboot and Windows will start normally.

   To restart your computer: On the error screen, click Restart.

2. Use the Startup Repair Tool. Windows includes a Startup Repair tool that’s capable of automatically fixing a lot of problems that can prevent a computer from booting. If your computer failed to boot into Windows after restarting, then try the Startup Repair Tool.

   To use the Startup Repair Tool: From the error screen, click Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair. You’ll need to log into your user account, and then allow the tool to do its job. When it’s done, try restarting and see if you’re able to boot into Windows.

3. Boot your computer into Safe Mode. In Windows, Safe Mode only loads the bare minimum of the necessary components to get the operating system up and running, so it’s often possible to boot into Safe Mode when you can’t boot into Windows normally.

   To boot into Safe Mode: From the error screen, click Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Then, after your computer has restarted, press 4 on your computer, and wait for your computer to boot into Safe Mode.

   If Windows boots into Safe Mode successfully, restart your computer and see if it is able to boot normally.

   Before you restart, you may want to back up your important data just in case there is a serious problem with your computer that could result in a loss of data.

4. Perform a System Restore. If the problem was caused by changes that you, someone else, or an app made to your computer, System Restore can fix things by rolling back the recent changes.

   To use System Restore: From the error screen, click Advanced options > System Restore.

   This option isn’t available if your computer doesn’t have any restore points. Windows does create restore points during specific events like system updates though, so you may have one even if you didn’t make it yourself.

5. Use Safe Mode to remove broken updates. If that didn’t work, you can fix problems caused by Windows updates by first booting into Safe Mode. Once you're in Safe Mode, you can remove the most recent update or updates and see if that allows Windows to boot normally.

   If you are able to boot to Safe Mode, do so using the process outlined above, but press 5 for Safe Mode With Networking.

   Windows 11: Once you have booted into Safe Mode, navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates, and click Uninstall next to the most recent update.

   Windows 10: Once you have booted into Safe Mode, navigate to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall Updates. You can then look for the latest update you installed, right-click it, and select Uninstall.

   After you’ve uninstalled your most recent update or updates, try restarting your computer.

6. Repair your Windows boot configuration data. If your boot configuration data is corrupt, that will prevent Windows from loading properly.

   To repair Windows boot configuration data: From the error screen, click Advanced options > Command Prompt.

   When the command prompt appears, type bootrec /rebuildbcd and press enter. If prompted, enter Y or Yes. If not, you'll first need to rename the old boot configuration data before you can rebuild it.

7. Perform a clean Windows install. If you still can’t boot into Windows, you’ll need to completely reset your computer by performing a clean installation of Windows.

   This will remove all of your data. If you are able to boot into Safe Mode, consider doing that first so that you can back up your data.

   If you still can’t boot after reinstalling Windows, or you aren’t able to install Windows, you may have a hardware failure that will require you to replace the faulty components. If your computer is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer for additional support.

    

   
    

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How to Play Your Xbox Games in Windows 11

 

Choose between Xbox Play Anywhere and Cloud Streaming through the Xbox app to play your favorite games in Windows 11

What to Know

• To use Xbox Play Anywhere, buy a game through the Play Anywhere website or on your Xbox Console. 
• Once you have purchased a game, launch the Xbox App, click My Library, and click the game to start playing. 
• If you have a Game Pass subscription, you can open the Xbox App, click Cloud Gaming, select a game, and stream it without buying or downloading anything extra.

This article explains how to play Xbox games on Windows 11 through Xbox Play Anywhere and the Xbox app, including how to buy and install Play Anywhere games and how to stream games if you have Game Pass.

How to Play Xbox Games on Windows 11 With Xbox Play Anywhere

Xbox Play Anywhere is a feature that lets you buy a game once and then play it on both Xbox consoles and Windows 11 PCs. That means you can buy one of these games on your Xbox and then install it on your PC later, or buy it directly from the Microsoft Store on your PC.

If you have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can also download and play Game Pass games on your Windows 11 pc using this method without buying the games.

Here’s how to play Xbox games on Windows 11 with Play Anywhere:

Navigate to the Xbox Play Anywhere website. 

 

 

 

Have you already bought a Play Anywhere game using your Xbox console? You can skip to step 6, unless you want to learn how to get additional Xbox Play Anywhere games on your Windows 11 PC.

Locate a game you want, and click the game title or box art. 

 

 

 

You can click SEARCH ALL GAMES and type the name of the game you want, or scroll through the list to find something you like.

Click BUY or BUY TO OWN if you want to purchase the game. 

 

 

 

If you have a Gamepass subscription, and you’ve selected a Gamepass game, you will see PLAY WITH CLOUD GAMING and INSTALL TO in addition to the buying option. The first option lets you stream the game without installing it, and the second allows you to install the game without purchasing it.

Enter your billing details, or click GET if you’ve chosen a free game. 

 

 Open the Microsoft Store, and type the name of the game into the search bar. 

 

 

How to Play Xbox Games on Windows 11 With Cloud Gaming

If you have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can play Xbox games on your Windows 11 PC through cloud gaming. This option runs the game on Microsoft’s cloud servers and streams it to you over your internet connection, so it works best if you have a strong internet connection. The main benefit is that you can start playing right away, but the video quality and framerate will typically be lower than if you ran the game on your own computer.

Before you proceed, connect an Xbox controller to your PC.

Here’s how to play Xbox games on Windows 11 with cloud gaming:

Open the Xbox app on your PC, and click Cloud Gaming. 

 

 

How to Stream Xbox Games to Windows 11

If you have an Xbox console on your home network, and it isn’t in use, you can stream games from the console to your Windows PC. This method lets you play games that you’ve downloaded to your Xbox without downloading them again, and it’s also the only way to play Xbox game discs on your PC, since Windows 11 can’t read Xbox game discs.

Here’s how to stream Xbox games to Windows 11:

1. Open the Xbox app on your PC.

2. Click the console icon that’s located next to your gamertag in the upper left corner.

3. Click your Xbox console in the dropdown list.

   Your Xbox needs to be powered on and connected to the same network as your Windows PC. If you don’t see it, try connecting to your Xbox via your Android app first.

4. On your Xbox console, select the option to allow the remote connection.

5. Your Xbox will start streaming to your PC, allowing you to launch and play games.

   You can play with a controller connected to either your PC or your Xbox.

How Does Windows 11 Play Xbox Games?

There are three primary ways to play Xbox games on Windows 11, including Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and streaming from your Xbox console.

• Xbox Play Anywhere: If a game supports this feature, you can buy it once and then play it on both Xbox and PC, and your progress will be synchronized through the cloud. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can also play most of these games for no additional charge.
• Xbox Cloud Gaming: This is a feature of Game Pass that allows you to stream games from the cloud without installing them. It’s a good option if you have a strong internet connection and want to start playing right away.
• Xbox console streaming: This option streams the game from your Xbox console to your Windows 11 PC, so it works best if your Xbox and PC are both connected to your network via ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.

 

 

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How to Access Find My iPhone from a Computer

 Are you trying to recover your lost phone via Find My iPhone? This feature was introduced to help iPhone owners keep track of their lost phones, and it's easier than ever with iCloud on a computer. This wikiHow article teaches you how to access Find My iPhone from a computer. 

 

 

 

 

Have your device go into Lost Mode. “Lost Mode” is helpful when you think you have lost your iPhone. When this is enabled, it will lock your device. You will be asked to input a new passcode for your iPhone, so enter a 4-digit PIN in the provided field. Re-enter the PIN to confirm it.

• After setting the passcode, you will be asked to enter the contact number that the person who has or finds your phone can call you with. Enter this into the “Number” field. When you’re done, click “Next.”
• You will then be shown the message that will be displayed on your lost iPhone. You can edit the message if you want, and click “Done” to save. Your iPhone will then be locked and will display your message, along with your contact number, on the screen.
• Your device will be inaccessible without the new passcode, but it can be used to call the contact number you provide.

 

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