Sorting in Task manager is extremely slow.

Anonymous
2021-09-02T02:26:24+00:00

Task manager sorting is extremely slow when I switch from sorting by name to performance metrics or vice versa.

For example - I can sort by name and if after that I decide to sort by one of the performance metrics - it's going to take about 3 seconds to do so. After that - I can freely sort by any of the performance metrics and I will experience no lag, unless I try to sort by the name again. In which case I will see another lag, also about 3 seconds. And from this point the cycle repeats.

I have had this issue before - the only resolution I have found - was to reinstall the windows, but it's not a solution I find sustainable.

TLDR

Sorting by CPU takes 3 seconds, after that, sorting by name takes 3 seconds, if I try to sort by CPU again - I will get another lag of the similar duration.

What can be done about it?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-09-02T03:19:15+00:00

    Hi Gwalmats,

    My name is Darren, I'm here to help you with your problem.

    Try run the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929833...

    Also, go to Start > Type "Windows Update Settings" hit enter > Click on "Check for updates" to ensure you have installed the latest windows update.

    Restart your computer and check if the problem still persists.

    I hope this helps. If this is not exactly what you need, please explain more so that I can help you better.

    Thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-09-02T22:16:54+00:00

    This was one of the first things I have tried - it didn't help to solve the issue. I tried it again just now, but it didn't help.

    I can provide more data, or a recording of the issue if that would help.

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  3. Igor Leyko 112.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-09-04T17:54:41+00:00

    Hi,

    My name is Igor, I have 12 Microsoft MVP awards. It's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll do all my best to help you. I'm sorry you have a problems.

    Did you use any registry cleaning or "optimizing" tools?

    Did you try to repair system files with DISM command?

    Please check for BIOS updates.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-09-11T21:20:40+00:00

    Hi Igor!

    No, I haven't used any registry cleaning/optimizing tools.

    Yes, I have tried to repair system files with DISM, unfortunately that did not solve my issue.

    BIOS is up to date.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-12-02T08:49:00+00:00

    I've got this issue as well. Had it in Windows 10, and still have it now in Windows 11. Interestingly, I had not noticed that it does indeed take (near as I can tell with a stopwatch) exactly 3 seconds to switch column sorting.

    Additionally, I noticed that switching away from or back to the Processes tab also has a similar lag (with one exception, detailed below). I can switch among the Performance, App history, Startup, Users, Details, and Services tabs as much as I like, with only minimal lag on the Users tab from time to time. But if I switch away from the Processes tab, or to the Processes tab... lag.

    The one exception is if the Processes tab is sorted by Name, then I can switch AWAY from it without any lag. Switching back TO it has the 3-second lag.

    Finally, one other datapoint, regarding mouse lag: When I switch the Processes tab between sorting by Name and sorting by one of the hardware columns (CPU, Memory, etc) and continue moving my mouse around in circles, there is a... moderate amount of mouse lag, as if the cursor changed from rendering at 60fps to more like 10-15fps. If I switch from Processes->Name to one of the other tabs, there's basically no lag (perhaps a momentary spurt). However, if I switch from Processes->CPU (or any of the other hardware columns) TO another tab, there is a heavy amount of mouse lag, as if it's rendering at 2-4fps.

    So in summary:

    • Processes->Name <--> Processes->[CPU/Disk/etc]: 3s lag, moderate mouse lag
    • Processes->Name --> [any other tab]: no lag, no mouse lag
    • [any other tab] --> Processes->Name: 3s lag, no mouse lag
    • Processes->[CPU/Disk/etc] --> [any other tab]: 3s lag, heavy mouse lag
    • [any other tab] --> Processes->[CPU/Disk/etc]: 3s lag, no mouse lag

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