In Microsoft Windows, which of the following actions cannot be performed directly from the Task Manager interface?

Introduction / Context:
The Windows Task Manager is a built in tool that allows users to monitor and manage running applications, background processes, and system performance. It is very useful for closing unresponsive programs and checking how system resources such as CPU and memory are being used. However, there are limits to what the Task Manager can do. This question asks you to identify which action is not possible directly from Task Manager, even though other listed actions are supported.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The environment is a Microsoft Windows operating system.
• The tool being discussed is the Windows Task Manager.
• Options include opening a program, checking recent CPU usage, deleting a program from the hard drive, and viewing background applications.
• We assume a typical modern Task Manager with tabs like Processes, Performance, App history, Startup, and Details.

Concept / Approach:
Task Manager is primarily a monitoring and process management tool. From Task Manager, you can see which applications and background processes are running, check CPU and memory usage graphs, and start a new task or program. You can also end tasks or processes. However, uninstalling or deleting a program from the hard drive is handled by other parts of Windows, such as the Settings app under Apps, or the legacy Programs and Features control panel. Task Manager does not provide a direct option to delete installed software from disk. Therefore, the action that cannot be performed is deleting a program from the hard drive.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider what Task Manager can display. On the Processes and Details tabs, Task Manager shows which applications and background services are currently running. Step 2: Check if it can open programs. On the File menu, there is an option called New Task or Run new task, which allows you to open a program, folder, or document. Step 3: Check CPU usage information. The Performance tab shows CPU usage graphs and recent usage statistics. Step 4: Evaluate program deletion. To remove software from the hard drive, users must go to Settings or Programs and Features; Task Manager does not have a Delete or Uninstall feature for installed programs. Step 5: Conclude that deleting a program from the hard drive is not supported by Task Manager.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you open Task Manager and explore its menus and tabs, you will find options such as End task, Run new task, Open file location, Search online, and properties for processes. In the Performance tab, CPU, memory, disk, and network graphs are available. Nowhere is there an option to uninstall or permanently delete an application from storage. When you right click on a program, you may see End task or Go to details, but not Remove from hard drive. This behaviour is consistent across versions of Windows, confirming that Task Manager does not perform program deletion.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Open a program): Task Manager provides a New Task or Run new task command that lets you open programs, so this is possible. Option B (Check recent CPU usage): The Performance tab and graphs clearly show CPU usage history, so this action is supported. Option D (View what applications are running in the background): The Processes and Details tabs list foreground and background tasks, so viewing running applications is exactly what Task Manager is designed for.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners assume that because Task Manager can end tasks, it can also uninstall or delete them from the system. Ending a task only stops a running process in memory and does not remove the program files from the disk. Others confuse Task Manager with the Apps section of Settings or with uninstall tools, which do manage software removal. To avoid this confusion, remember that Task Manager is for monitoring and process control, not for software installation or uninstallation tasks.

Final Answer:
Windows Task Manager cannot delete a program from the hard drive; that must be done through separate uninstall or settings tools.