sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

How to Restore Old Task Manager in Windows 11 22H2

Guide 10-25040 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to bring back the classic Task Manager interface in Windows 11 22H2, replacing the new design with the familiar tabs and simple layout from Windows 10. You’ll need to edit the Windows Registry, so make sure you’re logged in as an administrator and have a backup of your system or registry before starting.

What You’ll Need

  • A PC running Windows 11 22H2 (build 22621 or later).
  • Administrator account access.
  • Basic comfort with editing the Windows Registry.

Step-by-Step

  1. Create a system restore point (recommended). Press Win, type “create a restore point,” and select the matching result. In the System Properties window, click “Create…”, give it a name, and wait for it to finish. This gives you a safety net if something goes wrong.
  2. Open Registry Editor. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter. Click “Yes” on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Navigate to the Task Manager registry key. In Registry Editor, copy and paste the following path into the address bar at the top, then press Enter:

    4. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TaskManager

  4. Create a new DWORD value. With the TaskManager key selected, right-click on the empty space on the right pane. Choose New → DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it exactly: UseNewTaskManager.
  5. Set the value to 0. Double-click the new UseNewTaskManager entry. In the “Value data” field, type 0 (zero) and click OK. A value of 0 disables the new Task Manager; a value of 1 would re-enable it.
  6. Close Registry Editor and restart Task Manager. Simply close the Registry Editor. Then press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. You should now see the classic interface with tabs like Processes, Performance, App history, Startup, Users, Details, and Services. If it still shows the new one, restart your PC or sign out and back in.
  7. Verify the change. Look for the menu bar with File, Options, View, and Help at the top. That’s a clear sign the old Task Manager is active.

Common Mistakes

  • Typing the registry path wrong. Even a small typo in the path will lead to the wrong key. Copy and paste the full path from this guide.
  • Creating a QWORD instead of a DWORD. The value must be a 32-bit DWORD. A QWORD (64-bit) will not be recognized.
  • Naming the value incorrectly. The name is case-sensitive and must be exactly UseNewTaskManager. Any extra space or letter will break it.
  • Setting the value to 1. A value of 1 enables the new Task Manager. To get the old one, the value must be 0.
  • Not restarting Task Manager or the PC. The change may not take effect until you fully close Task Manager (if it’s already open) and reopen it, or restart your computer.

Tips

  • If you ever want to go back to the new Task Manager, simply change the UseNewTaskManager value to 1 or delete the entry entirely.
  • You can also export the registry key before editing: right-click the TaskManager key, choose “Export”, and save a .reg file. Double-clicking that file later will restore the previous settings.
  • This tweak only affects the current user. If you want it for all users, you’d need to edit the same key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\...\TaskManager, but that requires more advanced permissions and is not necessary for most people.

Troubleshooting

  • Task Manager still looks new after the registry change. First, double-check that the value name is exactly UseNewTaskManager and that it’s a DWORD set to 0. Then restart your PC. If it still doesn’t work, you may be on a Windows version that ignores this flag (some insider builds or later updates). In that case, the only reliable way is to use a third-party tool or stick with the new interface.
  • Registry Editor won’t open or says “Access denied”. Make sure you are logged in as an administrator. If you are, right-click Registry Editor and choose “Run as administrator”.
  • Task Manager won’t open at all after the change. This is rare, but if it happens, restart your PC. If that doesn’t help, restore your system to the restore point you created in step 1.
  • The registry key doesn’t exist. If you don’t see a TaskManager key under CurrentVersion, right-click on CurrentVersion, choose New → Key, and name it TaskManager. Then create the DWORD inside it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this disable the new Task Manager permanently?

No. It only disables the new interface for your user account. You can re-enable it anytime by setting the value back to 1 or deleting the registry entry.

Does this work on Windows 11 23H2 or 24H2?

It may work on some builds, but Microsoft has gradually removed the old Task Manager code in later updates. If the registry tweak doesn’t work, your Windows version likely no longer contains the classic interface.

Is it safe to edit the registry this way?

Yes, if you follow the steps exactly. Creating a restore point first is a good safety measure. The change is reversible and only affects Task Manager’s appearance.

Will this affect performance or other system functions?

No. It only switches which UI version of Task Manager is loaded. There is no impact on system performance or other features.

Can I use this method to get the old Task Manager on Windows 10?

No. Windows 10 already uses the classic Task Manager by default, so this tweak is only needed for Windows 11.

What if I don’t want to edit the registry?

You could try third-party tools that replace Task Manager, but they are not recommended due to security risks. The registry method is the official, built-in way.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →