How to enable the Task Manager shortcut in the taskbar context menu in Windows 11

Windows 11 22H2 has launched a cumulative update named KB5019509. It brings some interesting changes, including a tabbed file explorer, suggested actions, taskbar overflow, and more

I came across some posts claiming that Windows 11 22H2 provides a new way to access shortcuts. They are referring to the Task Manager shortcut in the taskbar context menu. You may recall that I tested this option in my virtual machine when Windows 11 Build 25211 was released to the Dev Channel last month. But I can't find the shortcut in Windows 11 22H2.

A tweet from WindowsUpdate and an update announcement post on Microsoft’s blog (footnote 1) both mentioned that Windows 11 is about to launch some features. The release notes for KB5019509 do not list shortcuts among the changes it brings. So that's probably why I didn't enable the task manager shortcut, it hasn't been rolled out to users yet. Anyone who has it probably used a workaround to add the feature manually.

This is a little funny. Microsoft has enabled the feature in Build 22000.1163, which was released to the Release Preview channel a few days ago, and then brought it to Build 22623.870 in the Beta channel today.

This is strange because experimental features are usually introduced into the Dev Channel. Once Microsoft gets some positive feedback from users, the feature will be pushed to the Beta channel for testing before being rolled out to Release Preview builds. Finally, these features entered the stable channel. That's why I thought it was a little weird that the Task Manager shortcut skipped the Beta and went directly to the Release Preview build, but guess what? It's actually available in stable releases as well, it's just not enabled by default. A Reddit user posted instructions on how to make it work, and you can follow the steps below.

Note: You need to be using Windows 11 22621.675, which means KB5019509 must be installed on your computer. Otherwise, you won't be able to access the new shortcut.

How to enable the Task Manager shortcut in the taskbar context menu in Windows 11

1. Click the Start button and type Regedit. Open the Registry Editor.

#2. Paste it into the tool's address bar and press Enter.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\4

3. You need to create a new password under the folder named 4 key. Right-click 4 in the left pane and select New > Key. Name it 1887869580.

4. Select the new folder and switch to the right pane.

5. Right-click within the pane and select Create. Select a new DWORD and name it EnabledState. Double-click it and change its value from 0 to 2.

#6. Create another DWORD, this time naming it EnabledStateOptions. You don't have to change its value.

Restart the computer. Try right-clicking on the taskbar and you should see a shortcut to Task Manager in the context menu.

You can always access Task Manager and other system tools by pressing Win X or right-clicking the Start button. But it might be useful to have a shortcut in the taskbar's menu.

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