Windows 11 22H2 is apparently getting a big Task Manager upgrade before the testers in the Dev Channel. Task Manager, which remains the best tool to find the app slowing down the PC and killing the running processes, is getting a search bar and more to help users quickly identify the app hogging the system resources.
Like tabs support in File Explorer, this is one of those features that many have been requesting for a long time. The search bar is one standard feature that should have always been there, but it was missing until now. With the search bar, you can find apps or processes like ‘File Explorer’ by just typing a file’s name in the bar.
You can select the process and right-click on it to perform actions, such as ‘End the process’ or Open this file’s location. The search bar makes Task Manager more user-friendly and you can now easily monitor your system’s resource for a specific app by searching its name or process in Task Manager.
Better theme support for Task Manager
As you’re probably aware, Task Manager was also updated with dark mode support in Windows 11 version 22H2. However, it wasn’t possible to open Task manager in light mode when the OS itself is using the dark theme.
Microsoft has finally added the ability to change the theme for Task Manager directly via its settings.
Regardless of the active Windows theme, you can now choose your preferred theme in Task Manager.
Microsoft is also enabling dark mode support for in-app dialogs. Nearly all dialogs have been updated with dark mode and Fluent Design, but two legacy dialogs – “Run new task” and “Properties” are still using the classic Win32 theming, at least for now.
These new dialogs will adhere to accent colours or Task Manager/Windows themes.
Microsoft is currently testing these Task Manager improvements in the Beta channel and users outside the Windows Insider Program will be getting the update in a few months.
Task Manager is set to get even better in the coming months
Task Manager saw a big update in September 2022 and it looks like more changes are planned for the app, according to sources familiar with the development. It’s a welcome shift in Microsoft’s approach after many users felt that Task Manager development was abandoned by the tech giant for so long.
It’s also obvious that Microsoft is now looking at the smaller details in popular apps like Task Manager and we’re expecting more Fluent Design tweaks in the coming months.
