How to Enable the Windows Task Manager
Today, I decided to see how I can put back the old task manager that comes with every Windows XP system. I could not see the task manager each time I wanted to kill some process that hanged up on me.
So I searched for the Internet to find a solution, the first one that I’ve seen is the Remove Restrictions Tool (RRT). A good tool, but I need to pay for it. I don’t want to, since I can go around modifying the registry itself without getting a heart attack.
The next thing I did was to search Google to find out which part of the Windows registry I should look to. Google did not give me the results I was looking for.
Then I suddenly remembered Maddy, the guy behind Great Registry Hacks. Sometime last year, he was a constant EC dropper and visitor of my blogs, so I decided to search his blog. I decided to contact him after trying to search for that thing that I need to find.
Maddy was fast! He emailed me back with two solutions: a free software he wrote to enable/disable the task manager, and a direct hack to the Windows registry.
But it was not enough to make the task manager appear. His next suggestion was to install Process Explorer instead. It worked! Thanks to Maddy!
Process Explorer: a lightweight replacement to default Windows Task Manager
I’ve met Process Explorer in my previous work, so this software is not news to me. It just did not occur to me to use this instead of figuring out how to make the Task Manager work.
As I exchanged conversations with Maddy over YM, it looked like my Task Manager was corrupted. I tried to open the file then returned an error message indicating that the file cannot be found. (UPDATE: I got the Task Manager back after installing Process Manager then clicking “restore Process Manager” command on the menu.
Here’s the download link: download Process Manager from Microsoft.
If you need some help with the Windows registry, then go to Maddy’s Great Registry Hacks and ask him.
Wardell
January 25th, 2009 at 6:31 am #
Did your task manager just stop working on it’s own or was it due to something else?
Wardell´s last blog post..WordCamp Chicago 2009
[Blocked by CFC] Gem
January 25th, 2009 at 9:21 am #
Hi Wardell! Nice to see you again.
I believe it was caused by another software – Tune Up Utilities. There’s this one particular utility (forgot the name) that I use to replace that Task Manager. I decided to uninstall that software later, and forgot to put back the default Windows Task Manager back.
I had just updated the post above, because later on, I got that old Task Manager appearing again when I click “restore Task Manager” on Process Manager’s menu.
zplits
January 25th, 2009 at 11:59 am #
Hi there! I was a big fan of Process Explorer. I’m using it since 2005 til now. It’s a great software. First time i used it, I got it from SysInternals.com. But now their site is not existing.
Because of the greatness and effectiveness of this small app, I think Microsoft offered some contract to Mark Russinovich (who was the author of Process Explorer) to integrate it with microsoft. Now, SysInternals products are hosted by Microsoft.
SysInternals creates a lot of useful applications, one of which is Process Explorer. My favorite is Autoruns. A tiny app, which enables you to disable or enable a lot of hidden features and services in your computer(like things you’ve never seen before)
And lastly. Their Blue Screen of Death(BSOD) screensaver. A really cool screensaver that display the BSOD. (scare’s out those who are unfamiliar…eheheh)
Here is a list of SysInternals great applications.
slavezero
January 25th, 2009 at 3:07 pm #
I have a post on my blog on how you can easily restore task manager, if your interested you can check it out.
here is the link: http://pcremix.com/the-easy-way-to-fix-your-task-manager/
I stopped using Tune up utilities especially the latest version because somehow it always creates a registry problem for my computers.
To make my computers more safe I use deepfreeze to all of them.
Nakakatamad din naman minsan mag-ayos ng computer araw-araw, lalo na kung hindi marunong mag-ingat yung gumagamit
slavezero´s last blog post..263,547.24 1 day Adsense Earnings!
Pastilan
January 25th, 2009 at 8:21 pm #
I haven’t experienced having to look for the Task Manager because every time I hit Crtl+Alt+Del it comes out immediately. But thanks for this article, I will come handy when for some reason of another TM is lost.
Pastilan´s last blog post..Dreamtemplate
Great registry Hacks
January 26th, 2009 at 2:07 am #
Hi Gem,
Thanks for the link.
as zplits said, Process manager is also one of my favorite tool.
you can play with your process using this tool..
Great registry Hacks´s last blog post..Tribute to ACP Ashok Kamte (Proud to be INDIAN)
PinoyCopywriter
January 27th, 2009 at 6:07 pm #
Hi Gem,
I’m not sure if this is related:
I sometimes open too many applications at the same time and switch from one to another because I’m always trying to multi-task (24 hours is too short!). Then my computer hangs.
Sometimes CTRL-ALT-DELETE wouldn’t work so I just press the reset button.
Do you think this is safe?
I know I should try using less applications next time.
PinoyCopywriter´s last blog post..How Many Keywords Should You Consider in your Keyword Research
Pahn
January 27th, 2009 at 6:35 pm #
oh boy, I had enough of those tools,, been using them from office before and it just add up the space
Pahn´s last blog post..Kung Hei Fat Choy ‘09
Snow
January 28th, 2009 at 12:09 pm #
I’ve been using the XP Task Manager eventhough I switched to Vista. Actually, I’ve considered switching to Windows XP altogether as I find the Vista so confusing.
Thanks for the info.
Dexter | Tech At Hand Dot Net
January 28th, 2009 at 10:22 pm #
Akala ko basta Ctrl + ALt + delete lalabas na yun
may mga process pa pala
Dexter | Tech At Hand Dot Net´s last blog post..What Do Buyer’s Think ?
Dboy
January 29th, 2009 at 10:06 am #
very useful info!
[Blocked by CFC] Gem
January 29th, 2009 at 8:32 pm #
Thanks!
Gem
February 5th, 2009 at 2:08 am #
It is really good that those software made by SysInternals are still available!
That BSOD screensaver is a neat trick. Too bad I don’t have any office mate (I work at home) to play tricks on.
Thanks for the list. I’ll give autoruns a try.
Gem
February 5th, 2009 at 2:15 am #
Yap, a related one, but not exactly the problem that I had. I’m using RRT (remove restrictions tool).
Tune Up utilities is really a resource hog. I’ve switched to a lighter CCleaner instead, since I’m more interested in removing junk than playing with all the registry settings.
Totoo yan, nakakatamad. In one of my work experience, I had to put the blame not on the users, pero doon sa pamamalakad ng IT department. Maso-solve ang virus problem if strong IT security measures are being implemented. Wala man lang silang adequate firewall to block offensive sites.
Gem
February 5th, 2009 at 2:19 am #
Wow! Multitasking! Not all people, including me, can do that!
I still prefer CTRL + ALT + DELETE over pushing the RESET button. You run the risk of corrupted data. Also, you may end up having bad sectors on your hard drive.
Gem
February 5th, 2009 at 2:21 am #
I find Vista confusing too. You might want to wait for Windows 7 instead.
jen
July 31st, 2010 at 11:28 am #
pa2long din, kasi whenever i hit ctrl+alt+delete, cnasabi lang ur task manager has been disabled by the admin, wahhhhhh…how come ididisable eh wala nmn me ginagawa iba… idk how to fix it… im searching the net and dito aq dinala…
Annie P
October 29th, 2010 at 8:47 pm #
thanks Gem, that one is a great trick to go around with the task manager. There are also other things we can do with this windows feature to speed up our computer. I found this guide that teaches a way to stop non-responsive programs as well as using the taskbar as a monitoring tool. http://www.speedypc.org/getting-to-know-the-windows-task-manager.html