How to Open Task Manager to a Specific Tab Directly

Task Manager opens to Processes tab by default in Windows 8 and 10. If you want it to open to the Startup tab directly, this article tells you how to do it.

Windows 10 v1903 Task Manager update

In version 1903 and higher, you can set a default tab in Windows 10 Task Manager.

To set the default tab in Task Manager:
Open Task Manager → Options tab → Set default tab.

Select one of the following options available:

1. Processes
2. Performance
3. App history
4. Startup
5. Users
6. Details
7. Services

By default, it opens to the Processes tab. If you select a tab in one of the above choices, the setting is retained. When you open Task Manager the next time, it will open to selected tab automatically.

Earlier versions of Windows

In earlier versions of Windows and Windows 10 versions older than v1903, you can create a shortcut to open to the Startup tab directly.

Create a desktop shortcut with the following command-line:

%windir%\system32\Taskmgr.exe /7 /startup

The 1st parameter can be any number, not necessarily 7. But, “/7” is what is used by Msconfig.exe to launch Task Manager. No other options or parameters other than /startup are supported.

Reset Task Manager settings to default

To reset the Task Manager preferences to Windows default, use these steps:

Start the Registry Editor and go to the following branch:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TaskManager

Right-click the Preferences value and choose Delete

The StartUpTab value represents the default tab you have chosen via Task Manager’s Options menu. Here are the possible values and their meaning:

• 0 – Processes tab
• 1 – Performance tab
• 2 – App history tab
• 3 – Startup tab
• 4 – Users tab
• 5 – Details tab
• 6 – Services tab

If the StartUpTab value is deleted, Task Manager defaults to the Processes tab.

reg delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TaskManager /v "Preferences" /f

Task Manager will now start in tiny window mode. Clicking on the More details arrow will show the expanded view.