As a Windows user, in addition to using Task Manager to manage background processes, monitor useful performance information, and address issues like unresponsive windows, high CPU usage, 100% disk usage, and suspicious applications, disk usage issues are particularly concerning to many users.
As mentioned earlier, Task Manager still has many limitations. Therefore, you can choose and use better and more powerful Task Manager alternatives included in the top 5 Task Manager alternatives on Windows below.
Highlighted Features of Process Explorer:
- Color-coded process list for easier navigation.
- View files currently locked by processes.
- Set Affinity and Priority for processes.
- Restart, Pause, Kill Process, and Kill Process Tree operations.
- Real-time CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O diagnostics data and graphs.
2. Process Hacker: Unveiling the Power
Process Hacker is the only open-source Task Manager replacement in the Top 5 list provided by Mytour for Windows users.
Process Hacker offers both installation and portable versions, boasting features similar to those of Process Explorer mentioned above. The system process overview window displays a hierarchical tree with color-coded information. While lacking a bottom panel, you can explore everything about a process by right-clicking on it.
The final stable release of Process Hacker was issued in 2016.
Some notable features of Process Hacker:
- Color-coded process list for easier navigation.
- Configure Affinity, Priority, and I/O Priority for processes.
- Perform restarts, pauses, and process terminations.
- Manage services, network connections, and drives.
- Real-time diagnostics and graphs for CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O data.
3. System Explorer
With System Explorer, you not only manage processes on your system but also access integrated security features to combat threats. However, a drawback is that System Explorer does not offer a portable version.
In the history tab, you can view CPU usage over minutes, hours, and even days ago. Additionally, you can monitor real-time system performance to identify details such as page faults.
Another notable feature of System Explorer is Snapshots, allowing you to capture File, Registry, or File + Registry snapshots for better issue resolution. The Security Scan feature is also available to detect suspicious processes.
Some notable features of System Explorer:
- Scan running processes against online security databases.
- CPU usage history displays detailed information for each process.
- Store and compare snapshots of Files, Registry, Files, and Registry.
- Configure Affinity and Priority for processes.
- Perform restarts, pauses, End Process, and End Process Tree operations.
- Manage modules, autorun, drivers, users, and more.
4. Task Manager DeLuxe
Download Task Manager DeLuxe here: Task Manager DeLuxe Download
The interface of Task Manager DeLuxe (TMX) may seem a bit cluttered, but once you get familiar with the tool, you'll find every bit on the Task Manager DeLuxe window quite useful. The tool is only available as a portable application.
In addition to real-time monitoring of system processes, services, and network connections, TMX also allows management of applications, startup programs, and tasks.
Some notable features of Task Manager DeLuxe:
- Desktop Explorer displays detailed information about processes when browsing through windows.
- Provides detailed real-time monitoring of each process.
- Browse, search, and filter all open or locked files.
- Restart, pause, and terminate processes.
- Manage services, network connections, and drives.
- Real-time diagnostics and graphs for CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O.
5. Daphne
Daphne offers 4 options for killing a process: immediate (kill instantly), immediate polite (non-forced kill), scheduled (kill process on a schedule), and scheduled polite. If you need to terminate a process, a task, Daphne makes this easier. Additionally, the tool provides options to run processes at specific times.
Apart from searching for processes by window, you can also search for windows by process. Daphne can move processes to the foreground or background, adjust transparency, or resize windows.
Daphne does not offer a portable application version.
Some notable features of Task Manager Daphne:
- Ability to terminate processes within a specified time frame.
- Terminate all processes matching the name filter.
- Search for processes by window and windows by process.
- Configure Affinity and Priority for processes.
- Copy all processes directly to the clipboard for troubleshooting purposes.
Download Daphne here: Daphne Download
Should you use a Task Manager alternative to terminate processes?
About 99% of users utilize Task Manager to end unresponsive processes. However, in some cases, Task Manager may fail to function. In such instances, you can rely on the support of tools listed in the top 5 Task Manager alternatives on Windows to terminate processes. Alternatively, if Task Manager is operational, you may not need to resort to Task Manager alternatives for process termination anymore.
Or if facing issues and challenges beyond the capability of Task Manager or its alternatives, you can seek assistance from Windows diagnostic tools and troubleshooting utilities.
Here is the list of top 5 Task Manager alternatives on Windows provided and introduced by Mytour. If you have any questions or concerns needing clarification, feel free to leave your comments below the article. Mytour will address your queries as soon as possible.