How to automatically open task manager performance tab summary view on startup

Question

Simple query: How to automatically open task manager performance tab summary view on windows startup

I vaguely remember there was a way to use a mouse and keyboard recording to open apps and position them on the screen by running a script.

Yes, it was a long time ago and it was possibly a third party tool.

Windows 11 has lost a lot of functionality, one thing that remains is the Task Manager. I manually open the performance tab in summary view. Boring task when starting windows every day.

This would be a great PowerToy. Any ideas welcome.

Answer 1

Hi Mark A Gregory,

Of course it would be best if M could do that, in your favour, but your underlying expectation is reasonable, though the system architecture was never designed for declarative desktop replay. Everything above the window manager is app-driven, not shell-driven. Automation is therefore the only practical route until Microsoft introduces a layout API, and none exists today.

Anyway, relying on mouse-key recorders will work, but it is fragile, because mouse and keyboard recorders that rely on absolute screen coordinates will fail under common conditions like resolution changes or DPI scaling. AutoHotkey remains the correct tool because it can target UI elements by their internal class names and control IDs, ensuring consistent execution. Write a script that includes a delay for shell stability, launches Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, then uses Send commands to navigate: "!v" for View menu, "s" for Summary View, and additional keys to set the window state. Compile this script and place the executable in your Startup folder for automatic execution at logon.

I hope my ideas can be some of your help. It's really appreciated of you to accept the answer if you find it useful to some extent. Thank you :)

VP

Answer 2

Hi Mark A Gregory,

Regarding your issue, I'd like to provide some details in a fairly comprehensive explanation, I hope you don't mind reading this long.

Windows can't natively launch Task Manager directly into the Performance-Summary view. Task Manager still refuses command-line arguments for targeting specific tabs. You must recreate the state indirectly.

If you want this to load at logon without manual clicks, you need an automation layer that can simulate the UI. AutoHotkey remains the only stable option. The old mouse-keyboard recorders were just early wrappers around the same principle.

Create a small AutoHotkey script that waits for the shell to finish loading, launches Task Manager, switches it to Performance, collapses to Summary view, and locks its window state. The script must target controls by class and name rather than raw coordinates to avoid breakage on DPI changes. After you verify the sequence works, place the compiled script in the user Startup folder so Windows executes it at sign-in.

PowerToys cannot handle this because it doesn't provide UI automation hooks. Task Manager provides no API for tab selection. UI automation is the only viable path.

I hope my ideas can be some of your help. It's really appreciated of you to accept the answer if you find it useful. Should you have any questions, feel free to leave a message.

VP

Answer 3

While researching this for myself, I found a solution!

First you can set task manager to start in performance mode any time it is run. With task manager open, click on the sprocket on the bottom left. Then change the "default start page" to "performance". Now every time task manager starts, it starts in performance mode.

Next, add a shortcut to task manager to your startup folder. Create a shortcut to taskmgr.exe and copy it to the startup folder following the instructions below. Cheers!

How to Add Startup Apps (Make App Open at Launch)

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run box.
2. Type shell:startup and click OK to open the Startup folder.
3. Locate the application you want to add.
4. Drag and drop the app shortcut into the shell:startup folder, or right-click the file and select "Create shortcut" and place it there.

Answer 4

Good morning Mark A Gregory,

If you find the information helpful to some extent, don't forget to accept it so that more people in our community would benefit too. In case you would like to discuss more, welcome :) Thank you, have a nice day!

VP