Which tool would a server administrator typically use first to address system performance issues?

Task Manager is typically used first by a server administrator to address system performance issues because it provides a quick and accessible overview of the current state of the system, including CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. With just a simple interface, administrators can immediately see which processes are consuming the most resources and identify any potential bottlenecks or problematic applications. This rapid assessment allows for immediate action, such as terminating non-essential processes or applications that may be affecting overall performance.

While other tools, such as Performance Monitor and Resource Monitor, offer more detailed and extensive monitoring capabilities, they require a bit more time to set up and interpret. Event Viewer is more focused on logging and diagnosing errors rather than real-time performance monitoring. Hence, for a quick first step in troubleshooting performance, Task Manager is the most efficient choice.