Task Manager is an important Windows tool that allows you to monitor the applications and processes running on your computer. It also provides access to vital system information, such as RAM usage and CPU temperature.

However, in some cases, you may need elevated privileges to access some of the more advanced features and capabilities of Task Manager. In this article, you will find a detailed tutorial on how to run Task Manager as an administrator in Windows 11.

Taskbar search is an easy way to quickly launch programs, open documents, or search the web without having to manually type in commands. To use this tool, follow these steps:

  1. Click the magnifying glass in the lower right-hand corner of your taskbar.
  2. From there, type "Task Manager" and you’ll be presented with a list of relevant results.
    Open Task Manager using Search tool
  3. Click the Run as administrator option on the right side of the Start menu.

2. How to Open Task Manager as an Administrator Through the Start Menu

Another handy tool on your Windows computer is the Start menu. You can use it for many things, including running Task Manager as an administrator. This is how you do it:

  1. Click on Start and select All apps in the upper right corner.
  2. Scroll down to the bottom and select Windows Tools.
    Open Task Manager Using Start menu
  3. On the next page, right-click on Task Manager and select Run as administrator.

3. How to Open Task Manager as an Administrator Through a Run Command

A Run dialog box is a powerful tool on Windows that lets you execute and locate files, folders, and programs. With its help, you can open Task Manager with admin access. Here's how:

  1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type in “taskmgr” into the text box and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
    Open Task Manager using Run dialog box
  3. This will launch Task Manager with administrative privileges.

4. How to Open Task Manager as an Administrator With Windows File Explorer

If you're deeply buried in your file system, you don’t have to come out of it to launch Task Manager with administrative rights. In File Explorer, just use the address bar to do it. Here's how:

  1. Right-click on Start and select File Explorer or press Win + E on your keyboard.
  2. In the address bar, type C:\Windows\System32 and press Enter.
  3. Then, use the search bar to find "taskmgr".
    Open Task Manager from File Explorer
  4. Once you find the executable file, right-click on it and select Run as administrator.

5. How to Open Task Manager as an Administrator via Control Panel

In Windows 11, you can also open Task Manager with administrator privileges from the Control Panel. It's one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to accomplish this. Here are the steps you need to take:

  1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type control in the text box and press Enter or click OK.
  3. In the control panel, change the screen view to Large icons.
  4. Next, click on the Windows Tools option.
    Open Task Manager Using Start menu
  5. Then right-click on Task Manager and select Run as administrator.

6. How to Open Task Manager as an Administrator With a Desktop Shortcut

If you frequently need to open Task Manager with admin rights, create a shortcut to Task Manager. Here's how you can do it.

  1. Right-click on your desktop and select New > Shortcut.
  2. Then type the following path in the text box and click Next.
    Open Task Manager With Desktop Shortcut 
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
  3. Now you need to give your shortcut a name and click Finish.
  4. Your shortcut will appear on your desktop. Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties.
  5. Click Advanced on the Shortcut tab.
  6. Check the Run as administrator box and click OK.
    Creating shortcut to open Task Manager
  7. Now double-click on the shortcut to open Task Manager with admin rights.

7. How to Open Task Manager as an Administrator via Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you prefer command-line methods, you can launch an elevated Task Manager from Command Prompt or PowerShell. Let me show you how to do it.

  1. Run Command Prompt with admin rights. See how to run the Command Prompt as an administrator for instructions, if you need them.
  2. In Command Prompt, type "taskmgr" and press Enter.

The Task Manager will open with full administrator rights.

8. Pin Task Manager to the Taskbar

It is also possible to pin Task Manager to the taskbar and open it with admin rights whenever needed. This is how you do it.

  1. Pin Task Manager to the Taskbar. Our guide on how to pin almost anything to the Windows 11 taskbar has in-depth instructions on the topic.
  2. Click on the Task Manager icon you just pinned.
  3. Then right-click on Task Manager and then select Run as administrator.

Getting the Most Out of Elevated Task Manager

It's easy to run the Task Manager Panel, but some tasks may require elevated access. Here are seven ways to open Task Manager as an administrator. Let us know which one is more helpful to you.