Windows' built-in Task Manager provides information and tools related to computer performance, such as memory management, CPU usage, and network statistics. You can also use these tools to manage processes, perform maintenance, and apply quick fixes to problematic applications. This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Task Manager program in any version of Windows, and shows you what to do if you see the "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator" error message when you try to run the program.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Opening Task Manager
Step 1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del on the keyboard
When you press all three buttons at the same time, a full screen menu will be displayed.
- You can also launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Esc.
- If you are using Windows 10, you can launch the Task Manager by right-clicking the "Start" menu and selecting " Task Manager ”.
Step 2. Click Task Manager on the menu
The Task Manager will open in standard view.
- If you see the "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator" error message or the Task Manager option is not available (obfuscated), your account does not have permission to use the program. If the computer is managed by someone else, ask the administrator to adjust the permissions on your account.
- If you are a computer administrator and can't open the Task Manager, it's possible that the program is disabled in the registry. This situation usually occurs when the computer is attacked by malware or malware. Scan the computer for malware, then consult the Task Manager activation method in the registry to reactivate the program.
Step 3. Click More details to expand the full view of Task Manager
If this option is available in the lower-left corner of the Task Manager window, click the option to display all tabs in the Task Manager.
Method 2 of 3: Enabling Task Manager in Registry
Step 1. Scan the computer for malware and viruses
If you see the "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator" error message, there is a possibility that your computer is infected with a virus. Perform a thorough virus scan and follow the on-screen instructions from the antivirus program to remove the virus before continuing.
Read the article on how to remove malware to learn more about the process of removing viruses and other malware from your computer
Step 2. Press Win+S to open the Windows search bar
This shortcut applies to all versions of Windows (from Vista and above).
Step 3. Type regedit and press Enter
The Registry Editor program will open.
Follow the on-screen instructions to give Registry Editor permission to run, then enter the administrator password if prompted
Step 4. Open “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System”
Access the folder via the navigation tree in the left column of the window. Start by double clicking “ HKEY_CURRENT_USER ” to expand the content, then double click “ Software ", followed " Microsoft ” and subsequent folders in order. Continue until you click on the folder “ Policies " and " System ”.
If you don't see the option " System ”, move on to step six.
Step 5. Right click DisableTaskMgr on the right pane and select delete.
Bookmarks that disable Task Manager for the currently active user will be removed.
Option " DisableTaskMgr ” appears only if Task Manager is disabled in the active user's registry. If the option is not available, continue to the next step.
Step 6. Open “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System”
Again, use the navigation tree in the left column to access the folder.
If you don't see the option " System ”, move on to step eight.
Step 7. Right click DisableTaskMgr on the right pane and select delete.
Markers that disable Task Manager for the computer as a whole will be removed.
“ DisableTaskMgr ” appears only if Task Manager is disabled in the computer registry. If the option is not available, move on to the next step.
Step 8. Open “HKEY_USERS\. DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System”
If you don't find the option " System ” at these addresses, read the Task Manager activation method through the Group Policy Editor program.
Step 9. Right click DisableTaskMgr on the right pane and select delete.
This option removes the end marker that is blocking the Task Manager feature.
If you don't find the option " DisableTaskMgr ” at the addresses above, read the Task Manager activation method through the Group Policy Editor program.
Step 10. Restart the computer
If you can remove the option DisableTaskMgr ” on one or more of the registry addresses above, you can now run the Task Manager as usual.
Method 3 of 3: Enabling Task Manager Through Program Group Policy Editor
Step 1. Press the shortcut Win+R on the computer
If you see the "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator" error message when opening Task Manager and can't resolve it via registry editing, it's possible that Task Manager is disabled in the Group Policy Editor program.
Step 2. Type Gpedit.msc and press Enter
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen if you are asked to enter an administrator password or give permission for the application to run. After that, the Group Policy Editor program will be opened.
Group Policy Editor is usually not available on Home editions of Windows
Step 3. Open “User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Ctrl+Alt+Del Options”
You can access it via the navigation tree in the left column of the window. Start by double-clicking the folder “ User Configuration ” to expand its content. After that, double click " Administrative Templates ", followed " System " and " Ctrl + alt=""Image" + Del Options</strong" />”.
Step 4. Double-click Remove Task Manager on the right pane
A window named "Remove Task Manager" will open.
Step 5. Select Not Configured or Disabled.
Both options have the same function, which is to restore the command or the Ctrl+Alt+Del shortcut to launch the Task Manager.
Step 6. Click OK to save changes
Step 7. Restart the computer
Once you've logged back into your account, you shouldn't have any more problems running Task Manager.
