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How to Check CPU Utilization on Windows Server 2022

This guide walks you through the process of checking CPU utilization using the built-in Task Manager tool on Windows.

Monitoring CPU usage is essential for identifying performance issues, optimizing resource usage, and ensuring smooth operation on both VPS and local machines.

Step #1: Open Task Manager

There are several ways to launch Task Manager:


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Method 1: Start Menu

  1. Click the Start Menu (Windows icon in the lower-left corner).

  2. Type "Task Manager" in the search bar.

  3. Press Enter or click on the Task Manager result.

Windows Start Menu search showing Task Manager result


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Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly, without going through the Start Menu.


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Method 3: Right-Click the Taskbar

  • Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu that appears.

Step #2: Expand to Full View

If Task Manager opens in compact mode:

  1. Click "More details" in the bottom-left corner to expand to the full view.

Task Manager in compact mode with More details option

Step #3: View CPU Usage in the Processes Tab

  1. Click the "Processes" tab.

  2. Under the "CPU" column, you'll see the current CPU usage of each process.

  3. To sort by CPU usage:

    • Click the "CPU" column header.

    • Processes will be listed in descending order of CPU consumption.

Task Manager Processes tab sorted by the CPU column

Step #4: Access Detailed CPU Stats

  1. Switch to the "Performance" tab.

  2. Click "CPU" on the left panel.

Here, you'll see:

  • A live graph of CPU usage

  • Core-specific utilization (for multi-core CPUs)

  • Real-time stats including:

    • Utilization (%)

    • Base speed (GHz)

    • Number of cores and logical processors

    • Up time (duration since last restart)

Step #5: Monitor Individual Processes

  1. Return to the "Processes" tab.

  2. Identify apps with high CPU usage.

  3. Right-click any process for additional actions:

    • End Task: Force-stop the selected process (use with caution).

    • Go to Details: View advanced information about the process.

Tips for Managing CPU Usage

  • Sustained high CPU usage may indicate a misbehaving app or background process.

  • Avoid ending essential system tasks, as it may cause instability.

  • Routinely monitor CPU usage to maintain optimal system health, especially on VPS environments where resources are shared.


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