Where Do I Find The "Activity Monitor" Please

Robert4 · 2026-05-16T14:43:07-0700

Where, exactly do I find the Activity Monitor that will
show me what is running in the background please ?

I looked, but just cannot find it.

Please be very specific; that old age problem again.

Thanks,
Bob

Alameda · 2026-05-16T14:53:00-0700

Open the Utilities Folder which is inside the Applications Folder

Ben J. · 2026-05-16T15:21:43-0700

Also, a good way to open apps is with Spotlight:
Cmd-spacebar - type 'activ…' and spotlight will show it as top result. Just hit 'enter' and it will open. Many use this method for opening apps all the time.

LeVan · 2026-05-16T15:42:04-0700

Do you have Show Hard Disks enabled in the Finder Sidebar settings? Double-click on the main startup drive. Open the Applications folder, then the Utilities folder, You should see it!
If you have Applications selected and showing in the Finder Sidebar settings, click on that and then the Utilities folder, You should see it! Two ways to get there easily.
I drag that Utilities folder to the sidebar too, as there are other useful utilities there, such as Disk Utility.
Keep the Activity Monitor in the Dock for easy access.

MacCheetah3 · 2026-05-16T16:54:14-0700

There are several ways.

• Open a new Finder window/tab. In the sidebar, click Applications (under the Favorites section). Within Applications, scroll down and then open the Utilities folder. Double click the Activity Monitor icon .

• In macOS Tahoe 26, look at the Dock and click the Apps

Spotlight shortcut. Scroll down until you see the Other section. Click the Activity Monitor icon.

• As @Ben J. noted, you can start typing and Spotlight will auto fill (then just press the Enter key to launch the app).

In earlier macOS versions (e.g., Sequoia 15), you’ll go to the Dock and click on Launchpad — typically, the same position, to the immediate right of the Finder (icon). You’ll then look for the Other folder, click to open it. Find and click on Activity Monitor to launch it.