Former Microsoft dev brings Windows Task Manager to Mac

Original Windows Task Manager developer Dave W. Plummer has revealed a new macOS port of the classic system utility. Currently in beta, the Mac version, named Task Manager OG (TMOG), aims to offer an alternative to Apple's native Activity Monitor.

Plummer (via Tom's Hardware) shared details and screenshots of the project on social media, asserting that macOS's Activity Monitor isn't that good when explaining his motivation for porting the tool. He noted that the original Windows Task Manager launched as an 80KB utility under his development. In contrast, this new Mac iteration is written in Swift and contains no original or post-Windows XP code.

Addressing potential concerns surrounding Microsoft code ownership, Plummer confirmed that Microsoft graciously sent him the XP Task Manager source code with permission to demo and share it. However, the macOS version is built entirely from scratch.

He intended to release the utility for free on the Mac App Store during its beta phase, but ended up launching it via direct download from the project's website. The reason is that Apple's sandbox requirements make it impossible for the application to access the functions it needs. Moreover, Apple states that no app should be able to terminate other applications.

Plummer also added that it will eventually release a Windows version of TMOG, and a Pro version may also come in the future.

KitGuru says: Do you have a macOS system? Will you be trying out Plummer's Task Manager for Mac?

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