Best Free Process Viewer [1]

Introduction

Since Windows 95, Microsoft has included the Windows Task Manager in all of their operating systems to help users troubleshoot problems or just see how much of their precious memory is being used. Easily opened by a combination of hot keys (ctrl+shift+esc, or ctrl+alt+delete), this small tool isn't good for much other than killing processes.

It is because of this that many developers started creating their own versions of this utility, many of which added new features or refined the features Microsoft had already set as standard.

For many years, the Windows Sysinternals crew has offered the best product in this category, but the last couple of years has brought some great free and open source projects that are very deserving contenders for the top spot.

Rated Products

[4]

System Explorer [4] [5]

This application has many useful tools to help keep your system under control

Our Rating:

5

License: Free
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [6] | [7]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [8]

Our Rating: 5/5 5

Summary:

Upload files to VirusTotal from GUI. Detailed information about files and processes. Take and compare system snapshots. Logs action history for monitoring processes activities.

Cannot detect hidden processes.

Read more... [5]

License: Free

Upload files to VirusTotal from GUI. Detailed information about files and processes. Take and compare system snapshots. Logs action history for monitoring processes activities.

Cannot detect hidden processes.

Read full review... [5]

[9]

Process Hacker [9] [10]

A feature rich application to terminate pesky processes that you are not allowed to kill in the Windows Task Manager

Our Rating:

4.5

License: Free (Open source)
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [11] | [7]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [8]

Our Rating: 4.5/5 4.5

Summary:

Hidden Process Detection. Can forcibly terminate hooked processes. Ability to pause processes.

Some stability problems reported on Windows Vista.

Read more... [10]

License: Free (Open source)

Hidden Process Detection. Can forcibly terminate hooked processes. Ability to pause processes.

Some stability problems reported on Windows Vista.

Read full review... [10]

[12]

Process Explorer [12] [13]

A solid choice for anyone looking for a little more than the Windows Task Manager offers

Our Rating:

4

License: Free
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [14] | [7]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [8]

Our Rating: 4/5 4

Summary:

Very stable. Good support.

Not a lot of features.

Read more... [13]

License: Free

Very stable. Good support.

Not a lot of features.

Read full review... [13]

[15]

AnVir Task Manager Free [15] [16]

Offers a ton of features to monitor processes, services, startup programs, CPU, HDD and more.

Our Rating:

3

License: Free (Limited features)
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [17] | [7]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [8]

Our Rating: 3/5 3

Summary:

Ton of features. Detailed information on files and processes. Start-up manager.

Unorganized GUI. No support for free version. Performance issues.

Read more... [16]

License: Free (Limited features)

Ton of features. Detailed information on files and processes. Start-up manager.

Unorganized GUI. No support for free version. Performance issues.

Read full review... [16]

[18]

Auslogics Task Manager [18] [19]

It has all basic attributes of a task manager and tells you if known processes are trustworthy

Our Rating:

3

License: Free (Private/Educational use)
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [20] | [7]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [8]

Our Rating: 3/5 3

Summary:

Tracks disk load. Ability to unlock modules. Easy to use.

Barely offers more features than normal Windows Task Manager. No longer supported by the developer.

Read more... [19]

License: Free (Private/Educational use)

Tracks disk load. Ability to unlock modules. Easy to use.

Barely offers more features than normal Windows Task Manager. No longer supported by the developer.

Read full review... [19]

Related Products and Links

You might want to check out these articles too:

• Extended Task Manager [21]
• Process Monitor [22]
• More Free System Tools [23]

Editor

This software review is copy-edited by Glyn Burgess [24]. Please help edit and improve this article by clicking here [25].

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