How to identify a program instance in Task Manager?

Question

If I'm running multiple instances of the same program, is there a way to identify which instance listed in Task Manager coincides with which tab I have the program running?

See screenshot below.

I'm running 3 instances of Autodesk Inventor. If one becomes unresponsive and I wish to kill that instance of the program, I need to be able to identify which one to select to 'End Task' in Task manager. I don't wish to play Russian Roulette because I want to keep the other running instances. With Inventor, the End Task from within Task Manager is often the only means of ending the process.

Answer 1

Hi Bill,

My name is Igor, it's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll try to help you.

When you right-click on the app's instance, do you see option to foreground this process or to minimize it? This will help to identify needed instance.

Answer 2

Hi Igor,

Thank you for your response. I wasn't sure if you meant right-clicking on the instance from within Task Manager, or the program's Windows tab. But in either case, no, there was nothing like that available.

Answer 3

I have non-English Windows but I suppose the picture allow to understand what I mean.

Answer 4

You may try to turn on PID column in Task manager and add Process ID to the app window's header.

Run regedit. Go to the following Registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

In this section create a new 32-bit DWORD value and name it ShowPidInTitle. Set its value data to 1. Sign out and sign in or reboot PC for this change applying.

Answer 5

Thank you for this Igor,

I was unable to add this to the registry, so I presume I must not have the proper permissions available to complete this task. I will refer it to our IT Director to see if this is something he can do for me.

Thank you again for your helpful suggestion, Igor.

• Bill