8 Ways to Open the Computer Management Tool in Windows

One important tool for keeping your computer running smoothly is Computer Management. It provides an overview of what’s happening on your PC at any given time, making it an important instrument for keeping track of what programs and apps are running on your device. This article walks you through eight ways to open Computer Management on a Windows 11/10 PC.

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1. Use the Power User Menu

The easiest and most convenient way to access the Computer Management tool is through the so-called Power User menu.

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select “Computer Management” from the available options.

2. Alternatively, you can use the Windows + X keyboard shortcut and then press G to open the Computer Management tool directly.
3. From here you can view information about your computer’s performance, manage user accounts, configure system settings, and do more.

2. Via the Windows Search Bar

Windows Search provides instant access to data on your computer. You can search for files by their name, or by keywords that describe the contents of the file. If you want to access the Computer Management tool using Windows Search, do the following:

1. Press Windows + S on your keyboard.

2. In the search bar, type “Computer Management” and select the top result.

Tip: if you’re experiencing issues with the search bar not working in Windows, try any of these fixes.

3. Using the Run Command

The Run command is a tool that allows you to launch programs, files, and folders on your computer. You can also use it to access settings in the Control Panel or to go to Computer Management.

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog, then type in the name of the program, file, or folder you want to open.
2. Type the command compmgmt.msc in the Run box. Once you hit Enter, the program will launch.

4. Run the Command Prompt

If you prefer not to use the graphic interface or you want more control over your Windows computer, you can use the Command Prompt to access files on your computer. Similarly, you can open Computer Management Tool with a simple command.

1. Open the Run command dialog box by pressing Windows + R.
2. Type cmd in the text box and hit Enter to execute it.
3. If the UAC (User Account Control) dialog appears on the screen, click the “Yes” button to continue.
4. Once you open the Command Prompt, type in compmgmt.msc and press Enter.

5. Use the Start Menu

Another alternative for opening Computer Management is to use the Start Menu.

1. Click the Start Menu or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. On the pop-up window that appears, go to the top-right corner and select the “All apps” option.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the next screen and select “Windows Tools” to open a menu of shortcuts to various tools. (In Windows 10, just scroll until you find “Windows Administrative Tools” and click on the folder.

4. Double-click on “Computer Management” to open the tool.

Want to make your Start Menu in Windows stand out? Learn how to customize it like a pro.

6. Through the Control Panel

Control Panel is a system applet in Windows that provides access to different Windows programs, tools, and settings. You can use it to open the Computer Management tool.

1. Click on the Start menu and type “Control Panel” in the search box.
2. Select the top result to open Control Panel. You can also launch the Control Panel using the control command in the Run dialog box (Windows + R).

3. Once the Control Panel window is launched, choose “Large icons” from the “View by” drop-down menu.

4. Select “Windows Tools” from the available menu items. In Windows 10, select “Administrative Tools.”
5. Double-click “Computer Management” in the list of options. It will now open in a new window.

7. Use the Task Manager

Another way to quickly access the Computer Management tool on your computer is through the Task Manager.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager. (You have multiple ways to access Task Manager too!)
2. Once Task Manager is open, make sure you’re on the “Processes” tab.
3. Click “Run new task” from the top bar or go to “File -> Run new task.”

4. Type compmgmt.msc in the text box and hit Enter. Computer Management should open for you.

8. Through File Explorer

If you’re looking to open the Computer Management tool through File Explorer, there are just a few steps you need to follow.

1. Open File Explorer using the Windows + E keyboard shortcut.
2. Locate “This PC” on the left-hand side, then right-click on it and select “Show more options” from the context menu.

3. Click “Manage” from the menu. The Computer Management tool will now open in a new window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a desktop shortcut for Computer Management?

1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and select “New -> Shortcut.”
2. In the “Create Shortcut” window that appears, enter %windir%\system32\compmgmt.msc in the “Type the location of the item” field and click “Next.”
3. Enter a name for the shortcut in the “Type a name for this shortcut” field and click “Finish.”
4. The newly created shortcut will appear on the desktop allowing you easy access to the tool whenever you want.

How can I run Computer Management as an Administrator?

If you need to make any changes to the settings available in Computer Management, you must run it as an administrator. To do this, click on the Start menu and type in “Computer Management” in the search bar, then right-click on “Computer Management” and select “Run as administrator.”

How can I disable a Windows user account using Computer Management?

If you need to temporarily disable a user account, it takes mere seconds to do so. Open “Computer Management” using one of the methods described above. Once you’re in, go to “System Tools -> Local Users and Groups -> Users.” Now double-click the account you want to disable in the middle pane. In the “General” tab of the Properties window, check the “Account is disabled” checkbox, then click “Apply -> OK” to save the changes.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Digvijay Kumar.