How to Enable Windows Task Manager

2 January 2008 5 Comments

Windows Task Manager is an integral part of Windows operating system that is useful when ending running processes including those that are part of virus activities. Probably, this is the main reason why malware authors are targeting this function each time a virus is implemented on the computer. If in case Windows Task Manager is disabled, these simple method will enable it back.

Method 1 : Remove Task Manager Restriction Using Group Policy

1. Click Start > Run, or simply press [Windows Key] + [R] on your keyboard.
2. Enter gpedit.msc in the Open box and click OK.
3. In the Group Policy settings window:
- Select User Configuration
- Select Administrative Templates
- Select System
- Select Ctrl+Alt+Delete options
- Select Remove Task Manager
- Double-click the “Remove Task Manager” option
- Set to Disabled

4. Exit the Group Policy Editor

Method 2 : Run Command

1. Press [Windows Key] + [R] on your keyboard to initiate a Run command.
2. In the Open dialog box, type or copy and paste the following string:
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

3. Press OK. This process will add the registry entry that will reverse the Task Manager disable properties.
4. Please restart the computer to see the effect.

Method 3 : Registry Editor

These steps assumes that your can freely modify Windows registry to apply the following value. If it is disabled, you must enable registry editor first.

1. Press [Windows Key] + [R] on your keyboard to initiate a Run command.
2. Type regedit in the field and click OK. This command will open a window that contains registry values.

3. Locate the following section:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies\ System

4. In the right pane, delete the value called DisableTaskMgr.

5. Close registry editor and restart the computer.