Microsoft had finally heard the cries of its users and included these new features. However, even after installing the update, some Windows 11 devices lacked the option to open Task Manager from the taskbar context menu. This is because the feature is still gradually rolling out. That said, you can enable this option forcefully today and benefit from having quick and convenient access to the Task Manager. Without further ado, let us show you how to enable this feature. Before we dive into the methods of activating the Task Manager option in the taskbar’s context menu, we would like to inform our readers that it is mentioned in some places that you install KB5019509 before applying the techniques given below.
Enable Task Manager Option in Taskbar’s Context Menu From Windows Registry Using Registry Files Using ViveTool Closing Words
After having tested these methods ourselves, we concluded having KB5019509 is not necessary to add the Task Manager option. You can still enable it by having only October’s Patch Tuesday update installed (KB5018427 – Build 22621.674).
Enable Task Manager Option in Taskbar’s Context Menu
From Windows Registry
You can make manual changes to the Windows Registry to enable the Task Manager option in the taskbar’s context menu. Follow these steps to do so: Note: Misconfiguration of critical values in the system’s registry could be fatal for your operating system. Therefore, we insist that you create a system restore point before proceeding forward with the process. Once the computer reboots, right-click the taskbar to see the “Task Manager” option in the context menu. Name this key 1887869580. Name this DWORD EnabledState. Name this DWORD EnabledStateOptions. Now restart the computer for the changes to take effect. In case you want to remove the option in the future, all you need to do is return to the 4 Registry key and delete the 1887869580 key, and then restart the computer. Alternative to this method, you can use the .REG files given below that automatically make the necessary changes to Windows Registry without having to make so many manual changes.
Using Registry Files
To save the time and hassle of making manual changes to the Windows Registry, you can use the .REG files given below to enable (or disable) the Task Manager option from the taskbar’s context menu. Click on the links to download the respective registry file: Enable Task Manager in taskbar context menu.reg (416 bytes, 105 hits) Disable Task Manager in taskbar context menu.reg (356 bytes, 99 hits) Once downloaded, follow these steps to execute the file: If you executed the “Enable Task Manager in taskbar context menu” file, then the Task Manager option will be added to the taskbar’s context menu. However, if you want to remove the option in the future, simply execute the “Disable Task Manager in taskbar context menu” file.
Using ViveTool
You can also enable the Task Manager option inside the taskbar’s context menu using ViveTool. ViveTool is a small utility designed to enable hidden features in the Windows operating system that have not been activated by Microsoft by default. Follow these steps to download ViveTool and enable the Task Manager option: When it reboots, you will find that the Task Manager option is now available when you right-click on the taskbar. In case you wish to disable the feature in the future, simply run the following cmdlet in an elevated Command Prompt in ViveTool’s directory:
Closing Words
For those who want to enable the Task Manager option in the taskbar’s context menu right away; the guide above is for you. This is a much-anticipated feature for most users since they were used to this method for accessing the Task Manager since the launch of Windows 10. That said, Microsoft will likely ship this feature to everyone in November’s Patch Tuesday update through Windows Update.
