Vista Tutorial - Task Manager - Enable or Disable

Information

If you find that the Task Manager option is grayed out (disabled) when you right click on the taskbar, then you may want to enable it again. You may also want to disable the Task Manager to prevent other user accounts from using it.

NOTE

This will also add or remove Task Manager from the Windows Security screen when you press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

WARNING

If you did not disable Task Manager, then it may have been done by some kind of malware or spyware. You should do a complete scan of your computer for a virus and other malware to be safe.

Tip

The Task Manager exe file is located at: C:\Windows\System32\taskmgr.exe

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NOTE

This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Basic and Home Premium editions.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, and Ctrl+Alt+Del Options. (See screenshot below)

3. In the right pane, right click on Remove Task Manager and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Task Manager -

A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Task Manager -

A) Dot Enabled and click on OK.

6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.

NOTE

This method will work for all Vista versions.

Through a Download:

1. To Disable Task Manager -

A) Click on the download button below to download the
Disable_Task_Manager.reg file.

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Enable Task Manager -

A) Click on the download button below to download the
Enable_Task_Manager.reg file.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) fand click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).

The Manual Way:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5A)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
NOTE: If you do not have System, then right click on Polices and click on New and Key. Type System and press Enter.

5. To Disable Task Manager -

A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value and type DisableTaskMgr and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

B) Right click on DisableTaskMgr and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

C) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

6. To Enable Task Manager -

A) In the right pane, right click on DisableTaskMgr and click on Delete. (See screenshot below step 5A)

B) Click on Yes to confirm delete.

7. Close regedit.