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I have been using Windows 7 for a long time, but I wish I could find a way to use Ctrl + Alt + Del to switch directly to the Task Manager. I think there's some way to do it in the Control Panel, but I just can't find it.

kma
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    I agree with the other posters that the combination of Ctrl+Shift+Esc is the best idea. Changing the mapping of Cntrl+Alt+Del seems more trouble than it is worth. You can also quickly access task manager by right clicking on the taskbar (preferably a blank spot) and selecting "Start Task Manager" from the list. – Tim P. Nov 22 '13 at 00:19
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    For security reasons, it is impossible to change what Ctrl+Alt+Delete does – OrangeDog Nov 22 '13 at 13:21
  • For security reasons, it's **difficult** to change the behaviour of Ctrl+Alt+Delete, but it's not **impossible**. If you're willing to put the effort, you can do it. You can do that by patching `msgina.dll`. GINA is responsible for handling the response to the secure attention key SAK (aka, Ctrl+Alt+Delete). By modifying it, you can make Ctrl+Alt+Delete do whatever you want. This goes without saying, but you need administrative access to the machine (very likely physical access is needed when replacing the old `msgina.dll`. – Adi Nov 22 '13 at 14:22
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    @Adnan `msgina.dll` is not used post Windows XP, it has been replaced with a new system. – Scott Chamberlain Nov 22 '13 at 14:54
  • @ScottChamberlain Well, it's safe to assume that the new system can also be modified. – Adi Nov 22 '13 at 15:10
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    One could argue if you start patching the operating system yourself, you're no longer using "Windows 7". If you start going down that route then it's very easy - just pull the Delete and Esc keys off your keyboard and swap them round. – OrangeDog Nov 22 '13 at 16:43

3 Answers3

29

You can use Ctrl+Shift+ESC to access task manager directly

nerdwaller
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Berkay Tutal
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You can't redirect it, however if you use the combination Ctrl+Shift+Esc it will launch the task manager directly.

Here is a nice big list of the keyboard shortcuts that Windows 7 supports and some of the programs that it comes with.

Scott Chamberlain
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Another quick way to launch Task Manager, if the keyboard key combinations (both Ctrl + Alt + Del or Ctrl + Shift + Esc) does not work:

  1. Just right click on the task-bar and there is an option of "Start Task Manager"

  2. You can go to "Run" (Win + R) and type taskmgr; this will launch Task Manager

user
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Firee
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