Difference Between Task Manager and Resource Monitor
Both show what your PC is doing, but with very different levels of detail.
Both show what your PC is doing, but with very different levels of detail.
| Task Manager | Resource Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Level of detail | General, at a glance | Much more detailed |
| Ease of use | Simpler | More technical |
| Closing processes | Yes, direct | Yes, less accessible |
| Viewing a process's handles | No | Yes |
For everyday use (closing a frozen program, seeing what's using
CPU), Task Manager
is enough and faster. Resource Monitor (resmon) adds
value in harder diagnoses, where you need to see exactly which file
or network connection a specific process is using.
Tip: always start with Task Manager — only move to Resource Monitor if you need a detail the first doesn't give you.
Frequently asked questions
Which one should I use for everyday use?
Task Manager — it covers the essentials (closing programs, seeing CPU/RAM usage) faster and more simply than Resource Monitor.
Does Resource Monitor do something Task Manager can't?
Yes, it offers more technical details, like the files or network connections a specific process is using at that moment, useful for more specific diagnoses.