Task Manager is one of the most used apps on Windows and it has always provided a powerful way to manage system resources, including running processes, system files and startup programs. Windows 11 version 22H2 (2022 Update) has revamped the Task Manager with a new look built around Fluent Design.
The new Task Manager includes options to better align it with other apps such as Microsoft Office, Paint, Outlook, and more. While Task Manager itself has been redesigned, the way you can use it has not changed. You can still click on the Processes tab to manage the running processes and more.
At the same time, the feature development of the Task Manager has been excruciatingly slow. For instance, the tool doesn’t even have a search bar. However, the latest preview build has confirmed that another basic feature ‘search bar’ that people naturally expect in an app like Task Manager is finally coming with the next update.
At the moment, there is no search functionality in Task Manager. The only way to find a particular is to scroll through the long list of running processes or hit the key representing the first letter of the app on your keyboard, often making it difficult for users to quickly find and kill a running process.
Many users would rely on more powerful alternatives like Processes Explorer to find a particular process and kill it without having to use Task Manager.
Thankfully, Microsoft’s silliness can now come to an end.
Microsoft is testing a search bar at the top area/bar of the Task Manager. This feature is hidden in the latest Dev builds of Windows 11.
As you can see in the above screenshot, you can type in keywords like File Explorer and it shows results that match your search query. However, Task Manager’s search bar won’t work if you don’t type the exact process name or ID.
This will likely get better in the coming weeks as the search bar clearly says you can find processes by just typing the name. It goes without saying that the addition of a search feature helps close some of the gaps between Task Manager, Processes Explorer and other third-party tools, at least.
Task Manager’s search bar is coming to Windows 11 22H2
Windows Latest understands that the feature will be backported to Windows 11 version 22H2 in the coming weeks/months.
Search bar integration does not warrant a full-feature update and it can be easily enabled via a monthly update, according to sources familiar with Windows development.
In addition to Task Manager improvements, Microsoft is also working on a “Moment 2” update for Windows 11 22H2 with a tablet-friendly taskbar and more.
