The Control + alt + del keys on Windows open the task manager, but the same does not happen on the Mac. On the Apple computer, the procedure for ending programs is different and also very simple. This feature is useful for terminating and restarting locked apps. In addition, you can check which applications are running in the background and consume a lot of processing or memory – which can slow your computer down, depending on your Mac’s hardware configuration.
In the following tutorial, check out how to access the task manager in macOS. The procedure was performed on a MacBook Air with macOS 10.14 Mojave, but the tips apply to other computers and versions of Apple’s system.
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Learn how to access the task manager in macOS – Photo: Disclosure / Apple
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How to end programs on macOS
If you want to access the task manager to force the termination of an open application on the Mac, you can do so by accessing a specific menu for the function.
Step 1. Access the apple menu, in the upper left corner, and access the «Force Quit …» option. If you prefer, use the shortcut «option command esc»;
Accessing the macOS task manager – Photo: Playback / Helito Beggiora
Step 2. Choose the application you want to end and press the «Force Quit» button.
Finalizing applications – Photo: Reproduction / Helito Beggiora
How to check CPU consumption on macOS
The macOS Activity Monitor reminds the Windows task manager of its resources: it is possible to check the memory, CPU and disk space currently occupied according to the programs running on the machine.
Step 1. Press «command + space bar» to open the Spotlight search and type «activity monitor». Open the first result of the program;
Open the Activity Monitor – Photo: Playback / Helito Beggiora
Step 2. In the Activity Monitor, it is possible to check which programs and services in the background are consuming more CPU, memory, using more energy, using the disk and network;
Checking applications in the background – Photo: Playback / Helito Beggiora
Step 3. If you want to end an application, select and press the «X» button in the upper left corner of the window. Finally, confirm in «Force Quit».
Finalizing applications and services – Photo: Reproduction / Helito Beggiora
Ready! Take advantage of the tips to terminate applications locked on macOS.
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