How to Fix “Task Manager has been Disabled by Your Administrator”?

That's a very common problem for Windows users. Many times when you try to open Task Manager, you find that "Task Manager" option has been grayed out:

Also when you try to run it by typing "taskmgr" in RUN dialog box, Windows shows following error message:

Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator.

There might be 2 possible reasons behind this problem:

Your system administrator applied the restriction using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.
Your system has been infected with virus and it has disabled the Task Manager.

If you are already the Administrator of the system, then your system is most probably infected. You should follow the instructions given in following topic first:

Is Your System Infected with a Virus / Spyware / Adware / Trojan?

Now if your system in not infected or you have successfully removed the virus, then you can follow these simple steps to enable Task Manager again:

1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box or Startmenu Search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor. If Registry editor is also disabled, then follow instructions given in following tutorial:

How to Enable Tools -> Folder Options and Registry Editor in Windows

2. Now go to following keys one by one:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
HKEY_USERS\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

and look for a DWORD value "DisableTaskMgr" in right-side pane. If you find it, delete it.

3. That's it. Now Task Manager will be enabled.

PS: If you are not familiar with editing the registry, then you can use ready-made registry script to do the task automatically. Download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the extracted .REG file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it:

Enable Task Manager

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This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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32 Comments

Brendan

This happened to me when I was in 5th grade or so. I had gotten a HUGE amount of viruses/adware/etc, but that was before I knew about Firefox and Spybot- Search and Destroy. Ever since I've gotten those I've not had a virus in years This is a useful guide nonetheless.
mif

askvg,. i want to asking u.. how to installing windows xp or vista without cd room, i mean installing from harddisk directly in the same system? how to format that system?
Taranjeet

thnx a lot. it worked for me
Arun Aravind

now a day im receiving a error message while opening drives that some recycler error how is it possible top remove the message.
Ananwoy

I have tried all solutions but one works and now i am sure that my computer is infected with viruses. Pls suggest a full version antivirus to repair my computer
Ananwoy

Sorry "none" in place of "one"
VG

^^ If you want a paid anti virus, then NOD32 or Kaspersky are best. If you want a free one, then try avast! or avira.
Vichi2

WTF when i want to open registry editor it says windows cannot find C:\Windows\regedit.exe pls help my skype dragonex12
VG

^^ It seems "regedit.exe" file has been deleted from your system. Either copy it from any other system and paste in your system or repair Windows using setup disc.
Muhammad Nabeel

Yes its working, try very first method the task manager will be enabled.

Thanks a lot.