Task Manager DeLuxe (TMX) and ProcessExplorer are useful and powerful task managers for Windows systems.
Both Task Manager DeLuxe (TMX) and ProcessExplorer are valid programs and similar in many ways. I couldn’t really say which one I prefer but I can say that ProcessExplorer has an extra feature that makes it handier, that is the option to quickly check a process in VirusTotal with just a right click.
Some users might find TMX a bit more user-friendly, though. They both shows detailed information about running programs, including the DLLs that the program uses and, for me quite important, the files that it keeps open. I find it quite annoying when I try to unplug an external drive and I can’t do it because there are open files on the drive although I believe that I closed all programs. With Task Manager DeLuxe and ProcessExplorer I now have a tool to look for these open files, and maybe understand if, by chance, there is an unwanted program running on my computer!
I must say that ProcessExplorer is more straight forward on this regard. If you enable the lower pane and you choose to view the Handles (through the View menu), as you click on a program you’ll see the open files straight away.
Finally, the great feature I mentioned before that I appreciate in ProcessExplorer is that it can submit a task to VirusTotal for a quick check to see if the program is deemed reliable by all major antivirus software. In TMX, on the other hand, Google Search is just a click away.
You can find Task Manager DeLuxe (TMX), which is a free and portable program, on the MiTeC website.
While ProcessExplorer, also a free and portable program by Sysinternals, can be downloaded on the Microsoft website.
