How to Fix “Task Manager has been Disabled by your Administrator” Problem in Windows?

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:

Task_Manager_Disabled_1.jpg

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

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Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator.

Task_Manager_Disabled_2.jpg

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 Start Menu Search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor. If Registry editor is also disabled, then follow instructions given in following tutorial:

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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.

Enable_Task_Manager.jpg

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

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. I can’t use the “regedit” because it’s also blocked by what i’m guessing is a virus.
    Any help?

  2. You can also Restore your computer to a previous date (guessing when you last saw Task Manager was running). Worked like a charm.

    With Hitman Pro AND ESET, how can I avoid this from happening again? Second time it has happened. How can someone hijack my Administrator

  3. Ok so i see that you need to open regedit. COOL C: I have the problem task manager is disabled.When i open regedit,OH WAIT REGEDIT IS DISABLED BY ADMINISTRATOR

  4. Every time I attempted to make changes in start up files msconfig xp told me that I needed to have Admin privledges (which I had)… resolved issue by booting to safe mode and running Malwarebytes.

  5. I’ve tried about everything, but no luck. Couldn’t find Disable Task Manager in registry files. I can see task manager on the task bar, and when I hover the cursor over it, I get the small window that shows it. But when I click on it, everything disappears. I’m stumped. I have Symantec anti-virus. Any suggestions?

  6. thank you soo much for this manual! i was finally able to enable the taskmanager. whoever wrote this and posted it is th real hero!

  7. Ok.. So I had a virus and i solved most of the stuff.. Regedit works.. Taskmanager Works.. All I wanna know is the names of the other files in the locations in regedit by default so i can remove other ones.. I got some sketchy ones but I don’t wanna delete them ( Might just be how windows names things ) . One of the simptons still is when i’m in a game ( like csgo ) and i alt + tab… My mouse dissapears. Also In some menus in other games. Another one I got is it says Alahu Akbar every time I start my PC. I’m guessing just a program that runs when i start- I’l try solving that in Safe Mode. Thanks For All The Help ! 😀

  8. SOLVED
    Very Simply and Comprehensive Solution
    Thank You Very Much

  9. sorry bro this not working for me i did all tricks which u tell me but my task manager & registry editor automatic disabled when i check in gpedit.msc it show both are NOT CONFIGURED & i REINSTALL my window again but it didn’t work so i decide to change my window 7 ultimate to window 7 professional i will tell u if this work for me after changing my friend also face this same problem 🙁 .

  10. SOLVED.
    askvg.com Has been always my first choice for problems , and they *Almost* always fix my problem, and once again awesome’ly they have done it.

  11. Thanks thanks thanks.

    You saved a hopeless man’s life.
    First run windows security essentails more then e few time until it says computer is clean
    Then run “unhookexec.inf”
    And the last run “Enable Task Manager.reg”

    That’s all.
    Life is good

  12. hi, i downloaded the file to do it automatically. I noticed the task manager is no longer gray which i believe means it is now active. But when i click it, nothing happens… Pls advise

  13. Thank you so much! I remember when Vista was new this also happened… but I was never able to fix so I wiped and reloaded! I hate how Windows thinks it knows more than me. I am a Tech by trade and a developer in my spare time… windows has made a habit of locking me out of things over the last 10 years! I am glad for the easy fix! Thank you!

  14. THANK YOU! Now I have to figure out WHAT disabled my task mgr but I’m glad I can at least get to that!

  15. hey there…..your way was pretty good but there is a very simple way to fix this problem…..download smadav antivirus and then go to the tools option and choose win-force….there you can find a task manager button….open it and you will see that it has worked!!!…just sayin ; )…

  16. If you want to enable your taskmanger permanently, then in the regedit ,do not delete the file but set it’s value to “0” it will never change.

  17. Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes if FINALLY WORKS. ALL DAY LONG TRYING TO GET THIS TO WORK. THANK YOU SooooooooooooooooMUCH.

  18. Thank you! You save me. I have this problem over a month. I lose a lot of time to understand where is my problem. Now everything is OK.

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