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Windows offers built-in tools for system management and troubleshooting. Get Help provides tutorials, FAQs, and direct Microsoft support. Task Manager monitors performance and manages applications, and System Information provides detailed data on your computer's hardware, software, and system components.

Note: To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365

In this topic

Open Get Help from start menu

Open Get Help from settings app

Contact Support agent

Task Manager

Key Tabs in Task Manager

System Information

Open Get Help from start menu

The Windows Get Help app is a central hub for accessing tutorials, FAQs, forums, troubleshooters, and direct support from Microsoft agents, making it easy for users to find solutions to technical issues and learn about Windows features. 

Note: The Get Help app is accessible to users signed in with either a Microsoft personal account or a Microsoft work or school account.

  1. Press the Windows logo  key to open Start menu.

  2. In the search box, type "get help" and press Enter to access the Get Help window.

  3. Use the Tab key to navigate to the search box and directly type your question into it. For example, “How do I update Windows?” and then press Enter.

  4. Get Help will search for related solutions, articles, and other resources.

Note: Type your query in less than or equal to 80 characters.

Tip: You can select the frequently asked questions from the list of common searches.

Alternatively, select the below link to access the Get Help window. 

Open Get Help

Open Get Help from Settings app 

To access the Get Help feature from the Settings app, follow these steps. 

  1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.

  2. Navigate until you hear "System," then press Enter.

  3. Press the Tab key to go to Display and then press Enter.

  4. Use the Tab key to navigate to the Get help link, and press Enter to access the Get Help window.

    Note: You can access the "Get Help" feature from any of the settings menu option.

  5. Use the Tab key to navigate to the search box and directly type your question into it. For example, “How do I update Windows?” and then press Enter

  6. Get Help will search for related solutions, articles, and other resources. 

Note: Type your query in less than or equal to 80 characters.

Tip: You can select the frequently asked questions from the list of common searches.

Contact Support agent

If Get Help fails to resolve your issue, you can reach out to the support agent directly from within the app: 

  1. If directed, select the Contact Support button.

  2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Select your product or service," then press Enter.

  3. Use the Down arrow key to select your product or service from the list.

  4. Navigate and select the support category, then use the Tab key to navigate to the Confirm button and press Enter.

  5. Use the Tab key to select your preferred method of contact:

  • Chat with a support agent in your web browser: Confirm your contact information, and a chat window will open to connect you with an agent.

  • Provide your phone number and a support agent will call you: Submit your phone number, and you will receive a confirmation with a request number of your support request. Your return call should happen shortly thereafter, though call times do vary.

  • Global Customer Service Phone Numbers: Customer service phone numbers are available for different regions and languages. You can find these numbers on the official support website.

Note: Availability of contact options depends on hours of operation, product, scenario, and subscription. 

Task Manager

Task Manager is a powerful built-in troubleshooting and support tool in Windows that allows users to monitor system performance and manage running processes. 

  • In the Windows search bar, type "Task manager" and press Enter to open the Task Manager window.

           Alternatively, Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager directly. 

Key Tabs in Task Manager

Task Manager in Windows is a vital tool offering detailed insights and control over system performance and processes. It consists of several key tabs, each serving specific functions to aid in system management and troubleshooting. 

Processes: It categorizes all the active processes into apps, background processes, and Windows processes. Additionally, it displays CPU, memory, disk, and network usage to identify resource-heavy processes.

The End Task feature enables you to swiftly terminate unresponsive or resource-hogging processes.

Performance: Provides graphical, real-time overview of your system's resources, such as CPU usage, memory usage, disk activity, Wi-Fi, and GPU performance.

App History: It displays resource usage, including CPU time and network activity, for installed applications over time.

Startup apps: It assists in managing applications that launch automatically during Windows startup and indicates whether each application is enabled or disabled for startup.

Users: It displays the users currently signed into the computer along with their resource consumption.

Details: It Provides advanced, detailed information regarding each process currently running on the system.

Services: It lists all Windows services, indicating their status (Running or Stopped) and providing options to start, stop, or restart them.

Settings: Customize the appearance and functionality of Task Manager.

  • Appearance and settings: Customize the look and behaviour of Task Manager, including always-on-top and real-time updates.

  • General settings: Set your default start page and other key preferences.

  • Advanced options: Manage live kernel memory dumps and other in-depth features.

For more information, go to Configure startup applications in Windows and System configuration tools in Windows 

System Information

System Information provides detailed information about your computer's hardware, system components, and software environment. It is useful for troubleshooting, diagnostics, and understanding your system’s specifications. For detailed information, go to Description of Microsoft System Information (Msinfo32.exe) Tool and System configuration tools in Windows 

  1. In the Windows search bar, type "Run," and press Enter to open the Run dialog.

  2. In the search field, type "msinfo32" and press Enter to open the System Information dialog.

Alternatively, Press Windows logo  key+R to open the Run dialog, type "msinfo32" and press Enter to open the System Information dialog.  

  • To access the “Hardware Resources,” press the Down arrow key to select Hardware Resources, and then use the Right or Left arrow key to expand and collapse the section.

  • To access the “Components,” press the Down arrow key until you hear Components, and then use the Right or Left arrow key to expand and collapse the section.

  • To access the “Software Environment,” press the Down arrow key until you hear Software Environment, and then use the Right or Left arrow key to expand and collapse the section.

In this topic 

Open Get Help from start menu  

Open Get Help from settings app  

Contact Support agent  

Task Manager  

Key Tabs in Task Manager

System Information

Open Get Help from start menu

The Windows Get Help app is a central hub for accessing tutorials, FAQs, forums, troubleshooters, and direct support from Microsoft agents, making it simple for users to find solutions to technical issues and learn about Windows features. 

Note: The Get Help app is accessible to users signed in with either a Microsoft personal account or a Microsoft work or school account.

  1. Press the Windows logo  key and type “Get Help.” Press Enter to access the Get Help app.

  2. Use the Tab key to navigate to the search box and directly type your question into it. For example, type “How do I update Windows?” and then press Enter.

  3. Get Help will search for related solutions, articles, and other resources.

    Note: Type your query in less than or equal to 80 characters. 

Tip: You can select the frequently asked questions from the list of common searches. 

Open Get Help from Settings app  

To access the Get Help feature from the Settings app, follow these steps: 

  1. Press the Windows logo  key+I to open the Settings app.

  2. Navigate until you hear "System," and then press Enter.

  3. Press the Tab key to go to Display, and then press Enter.

  4. Use the Tab key to navigate to the Get Help link, and press Enter to access the Get Help window.

    Note: You can access the "Get Help" feature from any of the settings menu options. 

  5. Use the Tab key to navigate to the search box and directly type your question into it. For example, type “How do I update Windows?” and then press Enter.

  6. Get Help will search for related solutions, articles, and other resources.

    Note: Type your query in less than or equal to 80 characters.

    Tip: You can select the frequently asked questions from the list of common searches. ​​​​​​​

Alternatively, select the below link to access the Get Help app.

Open Get Help

Contact Support agent  

If Get Help fails to resolve your issue, you can reach out to the Microsoft agent directly from within the app:  

  1. If directed, select the Contact Support button.

  2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Products or services," then press Enter.

  3. Use the Down arrow key to select your product or service from the list. If you couldn't find your product or service from the list, select Other Products.

  4. Please select any additional options when prompted to ensure that the right resources receive your support request.

  5. Finally, use the Tab key to navigate to the Confirm button and press Enter.

  6. Use the Tab key to select your preferred method of contact:

  • Chat with a support agent in your web browser: Confirm your contact information, and a chat window will open to connect you with an agent.

  • Provide your phone number, and a support agent will call you:  Once you submit your phone number, you will receive a confirmation along with a reference number for your support request. Your return call should happen shortly thereafter, though call times do vary.

  • Global Customer Service Phone Numbers: Customer service phone numbers are available for different regions and languages. You can find these numbers on the official support website.

    Note: Availability of contact options depends on hours of operation, product, scenario, and subscription.

Task Manager

Windows Task Manager is an advanced troubleshooting and support tool that allows users to manage running processes and monitor system performance. 

  • Press the Windows logo  key, type "Task manager," and press Enter.

          Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager directly.  

Key Tabs in Task Manager

The Task Manager in Windows is a vital tool offering detailed insights and control over system performance and processes. It consists of several key tabs, each serving specific functions that facilitate system management and troubleshooting.

To view the detailed breakdown of the primary tabs and features of the Task Manager, navigate and select the More Details button, and then press the Spacebar.

  • Processes: The system categorizes all the active processes into apps, background processes, and Windows processes. Additionally, it displays CPU, memory, disk, and network usage to identify resource-heavy processes.

    • The End Task feature enables you to swiftly terminate unresponsive or resource-hogging processes.

  • Performance: This feature provides a graphical, real-time overview of your system's resources, including CPU usage, memory usage, disk activity, Wi-Fi, and GPU performance.

  • App History: The system displays the resource usage, including CPU time and network activity, for installed applications over time.

  • Startup: This feature assists in managing applications that launch automatically during Windows startup and indicates whether each application is enabled or disabled for startup.

  • Users: The system displays the users who are currently signed into the computer, along with their resource consumption.

  • Details: The system provides advanced, detailed information regarding each process currently running on the system.

  • Services: This feature lists all Windows services, indicates their status running or stopped, and provides options to start, stop, or restart them.

System Information

System Information provides detailed information about your computer's hardware, system components, and software environment. It is useful for troubleshooting, diagnostics, and understanding your system’s specifications. For detailed information, go to Description of Microsoft System Information (Msinfo32.exe) Tool, and System configuration tools in Windows  

  1. Press the Windows logo  key and type “Run.” Press Enter to access the Run dialog.

  2. In the search box, type “msinfo32”, and press Enter to open the System Information dialog.

Alternatively, press Windows logo  key+R to open the Run dialog, type “msinfo32” and press Enter to open the System Information dialog. 

  • Press the Down arrow key until you hear “Hardware Resources, Components, or Software Environment,” then use the Right or Left arrow keys to expand or collapse the respective section.

See also

Get Help for Microsoft personal account users 

Get Help for Microsoft work or school account users 

Running troubleshooters in Get Help ​​​​​​​

Give feedback about Get Help

Technical support for customers with disabilities

Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.

If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.

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