This tip is more helpful if you’re a Vista or Windows 7 user, although it works in Windows XP as well.  Opening the task manager can be a pain, since you when you do the three finger salute (Ctrl + Alt + Delete), there’s a pause, then the session options screen comes up.  Rather than just getting a task manager, you’re re-routed to a screen giving you options including logging off, and locking the screen, as well as Task Manager.

To go straight to the task manager without delay, right click an open area on the taskbar and select Task Manager.