Security News > 2023 > August > Windows Task Manager refresh can be paused using CTRL key
A very useful and previously unknown Windows tip was revealed this week, where you can halt process jumping in Task Manager by holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, allowing easier access to a listed process.
The Windows Task Manager is one of the most useful built-in tools for managing your system, allowing you to terminate unresponsive applications and see what processes are using too much CPU, memory, and other resources.
This week, Microsoft Windows Program Manager Jen Gentleman shared a helpful tip on X, saying that you can press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard to temporarily freeze the task manager refresh so you can better see what resources a process is using.
While it's possible to control the Task Manager refresh speed in the tool's settings, it is not nearly as helpful as you can only pause the refresh entirely or set the refresh speed.
With this new method, you can run the refresh speed on 'High' and then pause it as needed using the Ctrl key method.
BleepingComputer has tested this Task Manager tip and can confirm it works on Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11.