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

MFKHAN

Hello VG,

Thanks you so much for links, I've resolved the problem with your advise links.

Kindly advise me how to enable "gepedit" as it has been disable in normal mode and keep working in safe mode.

Your immedaite action will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
MFKHAN
VG

^^ What error do you get while opening gpedit.msc in Normal mode?
rup

Hi,
Vishal

How r you? I am facing the problem of disabling taskmanager and registry editor, I have tried all your suggestions according to this problem but it appears still now.. and the most surprising factor is atlast i formatted the pc having 4 drive, but when i open the task manager, the first time it opens but the next time the same msg is coming.. I scan the pc with avg,NOD,Kaspersky,CA,avast all from my store.... but failed to fix the problem... Can you please give me a suggestion...

Thanx...
VG

^^ It seems either the virus is in your other drives or in the setup CD itself. First format the complete hard disk and then reinstall Windows using a genuine cd which doesnt contain any virus.
Rob

cheers! that sorted it out! hadnt realised how much I missed that little box full of "not respondings"
Gloryan

Hey, VG. I have this "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator" and i'm the admin. But, as soon i changed into disabled from gpedit.msc , it automatically disabled again.
Why ?
VG

^^ Please post your HijackThis log file in Virus Scan topic.
JUSTIN

thanks a lot I solved all those with ur help
Ananwoy

Thank u
husam

this way it very worng because the regedit in the run dont work and say to me agin has been

disable by your administrator