Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a Mac
The Mac equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Delete is Command + Option + Esc, which opens the Force Quit window to close frozen apps. For a full process list use Activity Monitor.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force Quit / close frozen app | ⌘ + ⌥ + Esc | Ctrl+Alt+Delete → Task Manager | |
| Full process manager | Activity Monitor (app) | Ctrl+Shift+Esc | |
| Lock the screen | ⌃ + ⌘ + Q | Win + L | |
| Log out | ⇧ + ⌘ + Q | Ctrl+Alt+Delete → Sign out |
Force Quit a frozen app
Press Command + Option + Esc (written ⌘⌥Esc) to open the Force Quit window. Select the stuck app and click Force Quit. This is the closest single-shortcut match to Windows' Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
The real Task Manager equivalent
For CPU, memory and network per process, open Activity Monitor (Applications › Utilities, or Spotlight with ⌘Space then type it). It is the Mac counterpart of the Windows Task Manager's Processes tab.
Lock and log out
Lock the screen with Control + Command + Q. Log out with Shift + Command + Q. There is no single menu on Mac that combines lock, log out and Task Manager the way the Windows security screen does.
FAQ
What is Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a Mac?
Command + Option + Esc (⌘⌥Esc). It opens the Force Quit window to close unresponsive apps.
How do I open Task Manager on a Mac?
Open Activity Monitor from Applications › Utilities, or press ⌘Space and type Activity Monitor. It shows all running processes and resource use.
How do I lock my Mac like Win+L?
Press Control + Command + Q to lock the screen instantly.