Tracking Memory Usage with Task Manager
Last Updated: 28 Mar 2004
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***
The TASK MANAGER is a great NT/2000 utility for viewing
the memory usage of your applications -- both Real and
Virtual memory. By default, it is only configured to
display usage of Physical RAM, but with a little tweaking,
you can get it to display even more useful info.
EXPANDED VIEW
You can expand the default columns which are displayed
so that you see much more information, such as peak
memory usage, number of open file handles, thread usage,
and the owner of the process.
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/Images/TM-Processes.JPG
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/Images/TM-Memory.JPG
This info can help you identify leaking or memory hungry
applications.
CUSTOMIZE TASK MANAGER VIEW
• Open Task Manager (SHIFT-CTRL-ESC)
• Select the "Processes" Tab
• From the menu, choose "View" --> "Select Columns..."
• Add additional criteria (VM, Threads, Handles, etc)
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NOTE: Although NT4 allows you to choose "GDI Objects"
and "USER Objects", this information will only
display on a Win2K system (or higher).
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This, and other TaskMgr tweaks can be configured via
the following .REG file.
• WINDOW 2000 Settings
http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/Archives/TaskMgr.REG
• WINDOWS XP Settings
http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/Archives/TaskMgr-NEW.REG
CONSOLE UTILS
• TASKLIST ............... Native Utility (WinXP)
• PSTAT .................. Resource Kit (View)
• TLIST .................. Resource Kit (View)
• MEMSNAP ................ Support Tools (Memory Usage View)
• POOLMON ................ Support Tools (Memory Usage View)
• PMON ................... Resource Kit (Continuous View)
• TOP .................... Resource Kit (View Active Processes)
GUI UTILS
• Remote Task Manager .... http://www.ntutility.com/rtm/
• WinRemote .............. http://www.admwin.com/
TRACKING MEMORY LEAKS OR ERRORS
• UMDH ................... http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=268343
• TaskInfo ............... http://www.iarsn.com/download.html
• Microsoft Memory Diag .. http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
USING THE TASK MANAGER
• http://support.microsoft.com/directory/worldwide/en-gb/task.asp
WHITEPAPERS & TECH DOCUMENTS
• http://support.microsoft.com/directory/worldwide/en-gb/task.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/tips/w2mem.asp
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=243325
• http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/winnt/Winntas/Tips/nt301.asp
PERSONAL NOTES
• You can also obtain POOLMON and MEMSNAP along with
other utilites on the Windows 2000 installation CD
as part of the Windows 2000 Support Tools (SUPPORT
folder)
• In Windows XP and 2003, the Task Manager will also
display network utilization, and process owners.
