Enable / Disable Task Manager in Windows XP Home / Pro

There is a registry hack to enable or disable Windows NT TaskManager. The same registry hack applies to Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Hive: HKEY_CU E!T_U"E Ke#: "o$%ware&Mi'roso$%&Windows&C(rren%)ersion&Poli'ies&"#s%em !ame: DisableTaskMgr T#*e: E+_DW, D )al(e: -.Enablethis key, that is D !"#$% TaskManager )al(e: /.Disablethis key, that is Don&t Disable, %nable TaskManager "s part o' the enhanced management a(ailable in Windows 2000 and Windows XP, rather than risking a registry change, as an administrator yo) can enable or disable Windows 2000 Pro or Windows XP Pro&s TaskManager )sing *ro)p Policy %ditor. This can be applied to the local policy. Note+ i' yo) are trying to o(erride yo)r organi,ations gro)p policy, yo) can&t. "s soon as yo) re-a)thenticate to the domain, the domain or ./ *ro)p Policy will rewrite the registry setting. #)t i' the TaskManager was accidently disabled or yo) need to control this item 'or a set o' standalone bo0es this is 'or yo)+

1lick !tart 1lick 2)n %nter gpedit.msc in the .pen bo0 and click .3 n the *ro)p Policy settings window
o o o o o o

!elect /ser 1on'ig)ration !elect "dministrati(e Templates !elect !ystem !elect 1trl4"lt4Delete options !elect 2emo(e Task Manager Do)ble-click the 2emo(e Task Manager option

Symptom
When yo) try to open Task Manager, the 'ollowing error may occ)r+ Task Manager has been disabled by yo)r administrator

Resolution
This error is ca)sed i' the DisableTaskMgr restriction is enabled. To enable Task Manager, try one o' these methods+
IMPORTANT: If this restriction was enabled in your system without you doing anything or without your knowledge, then it's highly likely that a Virus has blocked the usage of Task Manager in your system by enabling the DisableTaskMgr policy via the registry. I strongly suggest that you perform a thorough checkup of your system immediately. Steps listed in the Resolution section of this article helps you unblock the Task Manager, but that does not remove the Virus if any! from your system.

Method 1
1lick !tart, 2)n and type this command e0actly as gi(en below+ 5better - 1opy and paste6
REG add HKCU\Softw are\Microsoft\Window s\CurrentVersion\Policies\System / !isa"le#as$M%r /t REG&!

Method 2

"lick Start, #un and type Regedit.exe $avigate to the following branch%

73%891/22%NT9/!%2 : !o'tware : Microso't : Windows : 1)rrent;ersion : Policies: !ystem

In the right&pane, delete the value named Disa leTas!Mg" "lose #egedit.e'e

Method #: $sing %"oup Poli&y 'dito" ( )o" *indo+s ,P P"o)essional

"lick Start, #un, type gpedit.ms& and click (). $avigate to this branch%

/ser 1on'ig)ration < "dministrati(e Templates < !ystem < 1trl4"lt4Delete .ptions < 2emo(e Task Manager

*ouble&click the Remo-e Tas! Manage" option. Set the policy to Not .on)igu"ed.