The standard view of the Task Manager on Windows 11 will not show the PID (Process ID) by default, which is needed if you are doing some troubleshooting process. I remember how it once helped me to get rid of an application that was consuming unnecessary resources on my system. Well, if you don’t know how to enable and get PID view in Task Manager, whether you are using Windows 11 or 10, then here we have the detailed tutorial, which will significantly help you.
What are Process IDs?
If you are a beginner, then it is quite important to know what the Process IDs actually are before learning the steps to enable their view in the Task Manager.
A Process ID (PID) is a unique numerical identifier that Windows assigns to every running process on your system. Think of it as a digital name tag that helps your operating system keep track of all the different programs and services running simultaneously.
PIDs serve several important functions in Windows:
- They provide a unique reference for each running process
- Help system administrators identify and manage specific processes
- They’re essential for advanced troubleshooting techniques
- Used in command-line operations to target specific processes
Windows has been using PIDs since its earliest versions, but their visibility and importance have evolved as the Task Manager has become more sophisticated over the years. In Windows 11, Microsoft has continued to refine the Task Manager, but they’ve tucked away some advanced features—including PID view—that require some know-how to access.
Steps to Enable PID View in Task Manager on Windows 11
Let’s get right to the practical steps for enabling PID view in Windows 11’s Task Manager and also learn how to find PID and, if required, stop the corresponding process.
Method 1: Through Task Manager’s Details Tab
Step 1: Open Windows 11 Task Manager: We can do that by right-clicking on the Taskbar and selecting the “Task Manager” option. Alternatively, we also have a keyboard shortcut option, which is pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, or you can search for it in the Windows Start menu.
Step 2: On the Task Manager, navigate to the Details tab on the left-hand menu panel. If the menu options are hidden, click the Burger icon at the top to reveal them.
Step 3: On the Details tab, go to the Top headers, right-click on any column header (like “Name” or “Status”), and select “Select columns” from the context menu that appears.
Step 4: Find and check the “PID (Process Identifier)” option in the list of available columns to enable it in the Details View Tab, then press the OK button.
The PID column will now appear in your Task Manager’s Details tab, displaying each process’s unique identifier. Now, you know how to get the PID in Windows.
Method 2: Using Task Manager’s Processes Tab
By default, the first view of the Task Manager we get after opening it is the Process Manager Tab. So, if you want to enable the PID section there, then here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Open Task Manager like we learned earlier; however, to get fast access, use the keyboard shortcut – Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
Step 2: Ensure you’re on the “Processes” tab (usually the default view). If not by default, then click the Processes option from the Left panel menu.
Step 3: As we did in the first method for the Detail view, go to the Headers and right-click on any column header in the process list.
Step 4: You will see multiple types of columns to enable on the Task Manager, such as Status, Network, GPU, GPU engine, Power Usage, and Resource Values, and among them, PID will also be there. Click to select it.
Step 5: As you select the PID from the drop-down box in the Header section, the PID number will be listed next to each process, giving you that additional layer of information right in the main Processes tab.
How to Stop the Process in Windows 11 Using PID
Once you have enabled the PID in Task Manager and want to stop any particular process on Windows, you can do that in several ways. Here is the easy one.
- Locate the process with the PID you want to terminate in either the Processes or Details tab.
- Right-click on the process ID to open the context menu.
- Select “End task” or “End process” (depending on which tab you’re in). For example, here we are right-clicking on the “National Instruments Network” process ID, and to stop it, we have to select the End Task.
- Confirm the action if prompted.
This method works well for most standard applications, but sometimes stubborn processes require more forceful measures.
How I Use PID Information Daily
In my work, I find PIDs invaluable for several common scenarios:
Tracking Parent-Child Process Relationships
One of the most valuable aspects of knowing PIDs is tracking how processes relate to each other. When I need to troubleshoot an application that spawns multiple child processes, identifying the parent process through its PID helps me address the root cause rather than just treating symptoms.
For example, last month, I was creating a tutorial on video editing software, which was causing system slowdowns. By examining the PIDs, I discovered that a plugin was spawning excessive background processes—something that wouldn’t have been obvious without PID tracking.
Command Line Process Termination
Apart from the Task Manager to stop the Process using the PID, we can also resort to the Windows command line. If you already have a process ID, simply open the command terminal with Admin rights and run the given command. Note: Replace 1234 with the actual PID that you want to stop.
taskkill /PID 1234 /FThis command forcefully terminates the process with PID 1234. However, this targeted process management would be much more cumbersome without visible PIDs in the Task Manager.
Correlating with Performance Monitor Data
For deeper performance analysis, I frequently need to correlate Task Manager information with data from Performance Monitor. Having PIDs visible makes matching specific processes across different monitoring tools simple.
Common Questions & Misconceptions
No, enabling the PID column is simply displaying information that Windows is already tracking. It has no measurable impact on the Task Manager’s performance or your system resources.
Absolutely Yes! Once you’ve enabled the PID column, you can click on the column header to sort all processes by their PID numbers. Click again to reverse the sort order. This is helpful when looking for recently launched processes, as they typically have higher PID numbers.
No, PIDs are dynamically assigned at runtime. When you restart your computer, Windows will assign new PIDs to processes as they start up. This is why it’s important not to rely on specific PID numbers in any permanent scripts or solutions.
No, PIDs are unique among currently running processes. However, once a process terminates, its PID may be reused later for a new process. This is why you should always verify you’re working with the correct process before taking any action based on a PID.
When you use “End Task” in Task Manager, you tell Windows to terminate the process with that specific PID. Knowing the PID can help confirm that you’re ending the exact process you intend to, especially when multiple instances of the same program are running.
Expert Recommendations
After years of working with Windows systems, here are my recommendations for effectively using PID information:
For General Users
If you’re a typical Windows user who occasionally needs to troubleshoot applications, I recommend enabling the PID column in the Processes tab rather than relying solely on the Details tab. This gives you the essential information without overwhelming you with technical details.
For IT Professionals
For my fellow IT pros, I suggest creating a custom Task Manager layout that includes not just PIDs but also other useful columns like Command Line and Parent PID. Save this layout as your default for quicker troubleshooting sessions.
For Developers
If you’re developing Windows applications, monitoring your application’s PID and its child processes during testing can reveal resource leaks and unexpected behavior. I’ve caught countless issues during development by keeping an eye on process relationships through their PIDs.
Additional Tips for Process Management in Windows 11
Beyond simply viewing PIDs, here are some advanced techniques I’ve developed over the years:
Using Process Explorer as an Alternative
While Task Manager is built into Windows, I often turn to Sysinternals Process Explorer for more detailed information. This free Microsoft tool provides an enhanced view of processes, including PID information, in a more comprehensive interface.
Creating Shortcuts for Common PID Tasks
For processes I frequently need to monitor, I create batch files that can quickly identify and report on specific processes using their PIDs. This automation saves valuable time during troubleshooting sessions.
Conclusion
Enabling PID view in Windows 11’s Task Manager might seem like a small tweak, but it opens up a world of possibilities for more effective system management and troubleshooting. Whether you’re trying to identify resource-hungry applications or precisely target processes for termination, having PIDs visible gives you an additional layer of control over your Windows experience.
I encourage you to enable this feature and spend some time exploring how processes interact on your system. You might be surprised at what you discover about your computer’s inner workings! And if you have any questions about managing processes in Windows 11, feel free to leave a comment below.
