Windows 11 Insider preview gives Task Manager a search function

[Daniel Sims]

Something to look forward to: Scrolling through Task Manager to find the troublesome process you want to end can be slow and cumbersome. That's why Microsoft has started testing a new search function for one of Windows' oldest tools. The feature seems extensive but might not solve every problem users have with errant processes.

Microsoft revealed a few new features for Task Manager in the latest Windows 11 Insiders build this week. A task search bar is the main addition in beta channel builds 22621.891 and 22623.891 (KB5020040). Microsoft said it was one of its most requested features.

Instead of scrolling through the long list of running programs in the Processes tab of Task Manager, users will soon be able to type a name into the search bar at the top of the window. The filter also tries to intelligently present search results based on multiple names for each process.

Often, the title in a program isn't what Task Manager lists. Sometimes applications run multiple connected processes with various names. Task Manager's search bar handles this issue by letting users search by binary name, PID, or publisher name.

Unfortunately, the filter is only usable if you already know what process you want to monitor or shut down. Microsoft still hasn't provided an official way to find out which routine is stopping a USB device from ejecting, for example, without diving into the event viewer --- a chore probably too complex for casual users.

Another small addition to Task Manager is the ability to switch between light and dark themes independent of the system theme. Microsoft also made enabling efficiency mode for processes easier and now lets users turn off the confirmation dialog for the feature.

An earlier Windows Insider build redesigned Task Manager, replacing the tabs with a sidebar. Other iterations have added features like file explorer tabs, a controller-operated game bar, revived native CD ripping, and a new taskbar overflow interface.

Even as new features reach the public version of Windows 11, they haven't boosted the operating system's adoption rate so far. Surveys generally indicate Windows 11 is on between 15 and 25 percent of PCs worldwide. Its launch has been much slower than Windows 10's, partially due to harsh CPU requirements.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/96625-windows-11-insider-preview-gives-task-manager-search.html

 

[psycros]

Once in a great while the Windows team actually gives us something we've needed for ages..and then usually takes it away before the next version is released. They seem to be sticking with the improved Mac/Linux hybrid aesthetics, but beyond that all we've gotten from Windows 11 is a continuation of the usability reductions of Windows 10. Even the sacred right-click menu was mutilated with lazy design, forcing people to guess which icon actually does what when editing documents. Microsoft can't even be bothered to migrate most power user functions from Control Panel to settings. Combine that with their incessant attempts to force people to use a Microsoft account to log into their OWN COMPUTERS and its no surprise people are sticking with what works (as much as it ever did, anyway). At this point they should just copy the MATE desktop, bring back the Control Panel and call it a day.

 

[BigRedPDX]

Now can Microsoft make a search function for the default application extension list? Having to scroll through every extension is a pain.

 

[psycros]

Now can Microsoft make a search function for the default application extension list? Having to scroll through every extension is a pain.

They'll never do it, and I bet we both know why.

 

[Karlos95]

I still regret "upgrading" to windows 11. Wish there was an easy way to go back to 10 without disrupting all my programs...

 

[dualkelly]

I still regret "upgrading" to windows 11. Wish there was an easy way to go back to 10 without disrupting all my programs...

not all but most programs these days have a backup settings function. its a pain in the behind to reformat however with microsoft still has degradation issues when it comes to performance necessary after a time. I install a clean copy of windows onto a spare ssd a small one... spend several dozen hours fixing the crap of windows like making sure it wont connect to the update and box the entire system.. unstill all the app store spyware nonsense.. that clean copy of windows then just gets copied over when I need a fresh install. Saves hundreds of hours.

 

[Eldritch]

You mean I won't have to change sorting from CPU usage to Name, just to find a program/process? And you are also bringing tabbed explorer?
What happened? Are you guys alright?

 

[Bullwinkle M]

I still regret "upgrading" to windows 11. Wish there was an easy way to go back to 10 without disrupting all my programs...

Ummm, there is!

I simply unplug my Windows 11 SSD and go back to my Windows 10 SSD, or my Windows 8.1 SSD, or my Windows XP SSD, or my Linux SSD, or my.......yeah, you get the idea

Dual booting is a pain when things go sideways, so buy a dozen SSD's and boot to whatever you want

I disable the boot drive selection in the BIOS, so the computer will simply boot to whichever SSD is connected without touching the BIOS on every boot

An external SSD cable makes swapping boot drives as quick as rebooting

 

[OortCloud]

Windows OS updates are so insignificant and dull these days.
I miss the days of
3.1 -> 95
95 -> 98
98 -> XP
XP -> Vista (yeah maybe not that one so much).

 

[dualkelly]

Windows OS updates are so insignificant and dull these days.
I miss the days of
3.1 -> 95
95 -> 98
98 -> XP
XP -> Vista (yeah maybe not that one so much).

I had to listen to years of ms fanbois telling me that windows 10 will be the last windows... every time I had to explain to them that windows is slave to the ever changing releasing because the market is saturated with windows 10 so they have to sell the next great thing and on and on it goes.

 

[Rq3EWAq]

Who uses this spying system anyway?

 

[Karlos95]

Ummm, there is!

I simply unplug my Windows 11 SSD and go back to my Windows 10 SSD, or my Windows 8.1 SSD, or my Windows XP SSD, or my Linux SSD, or my.......yeah, you get the idea

Dual booting is a pain when things go sideways, so buy a dozen SSD's and boot to whatever you want

I disable the boot drive selection in the BIOS, so the computer will simply boot to whichever SSD is connected without touching the BIOS on every boot

An external SSD cable makes swapping boot drives as quick as rebooting

Think you may need to reread what I said lol. That would assume I didn't touch the original OS.

 

[Bullwinkle M]

Think you may need to reread what I said lol. That would assume I didn't touch the original OS.

Well then, you may want to assume that you should never touch the original OS when installing a new version