Windows 8.1 Task Manager not assigned to Foreground by default

[thedesertwolf]

Apologies beforehand for the terminology used here as I am not at all familiar with how windows 8.1 layers its applications.

When trying to close a frozen program in windows 8.1 through ctrl+alt+delete windows 8.1 assigned the task manager to the background and the mouse and frozen program to the foreground. Alt-tabbing does not actually allow access to the task manager as the mouse itself behaves as if it was bound to the frozen program, allowing movement but not allowing use. Holding tab while doing so nets the same result, cursor moves but the frozen program still remains on the top of the program stack.

It is possible to force off programs when they do this via logging off the account but that is not practical, especially when other work is being done.

Is there a way to force the mouse and task manager to the same layer in the foreground? It is not set up that way by default and that just seems like a design flaw.

 

[corroded]

This is not the answer, just some extra info:

http://www.nextofwindows.com/10-windows-8-1-task-manager-features-you-may-not-know/

looking for more

 

[UvovSimon]

Open up task manage, go to options tab, and check 'always on top"
during a crash, if you see your taskbar, you can also right click the icon there and choose this option.

 

[corroded]

an alternate to Task Manager

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/process-hacker-task-management-tool-windows

 

[thedesertwolf]

Open up task manage, go to options tab, and check 'always on top"
during a crash, if you see your taskbar, you can also right click the icon there and choose this option.

Thank you, didn't notice that option there (As generally pulling up the task manager only happens during a crash), it has resolved the irritation from previously. As for using the taskbar, due to how it was assigning tasks the taskbar was not a viable option as it behaved identically to the rest of the problem - ie non-responsive to right or left click due to 8.1 behaving as if the crashed program was still on the top of the stack.

Why "always on top" is not set to default in 8.1 is a mystery to me.