Unable to open Task manager

Question

*Original Title: AppInfo

Okay so I kinda disabled the startup for Application Information because it wasn't letting me delete some files. The problem is I now can't put it back on manual because it won't let me open task manager, I can't use run because it's disabled by my administrator, I can use command prompt and batch files but whenever I try and open task manager, or when I try to run services.msc in cmd or batch it says

C:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe

C:\windows\system32\services.msc

"The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it."

When I try to use SC in cmd it says

"[SC] StartService FAILED 1058:

The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it."

it feels like pretty much anything I do it comes up with that error message so please any and every suggestion should help :) I feel like I'm losing my mind though so someone please have an answer

I now have even tried a substitute task manager called process hacker but when I go to the service properties and try to change the startup it still comes up with the error message...

Answer 1

Hello Kyro,

Please help me with the following information:

1. What do you mean when you say "disabled the startup for Application Information", do you mean you have disabled startup item from the Selective startup. (System Configuration utility)?
2. Have you made any changes to the computer prior to this issue?
3. What is the make and model of the computer?
4. Have you logged in as an Administrator on your computer?
5. What do you mean when you say when he says "The problem is I now can't put it back on manual"?

Method 1: Follow the steps to enable Task manager:

1. Click on Start button.
2. Type regedit in Start menu search.
3. Select registry editor in search.
4. in the Registry Editor browse for the following keys.

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

5. Look for a DWORD value "DisableTaskMgr" in right-side pane. If you find it, delete it.

6. Now check if the Task Manager will be enabled.

Registry disclaimer: Important this section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the

registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Method 2: Scan for Viruses.

I would suggest you to scan your computer with Microsoft Safety Scanner, which would help to get rid of viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free-to-download security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

Note: The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

Important: While scanning the hard drive if any bad sectors are found, the scanner tries to repair that sector, any data available on that might be lost.

Method 3: If the above method did not help try to enable Built Admin account.

1. Press Windows and R to open command prompt,

2 type: net user administrator /active: yes

Note: Please follow the same steps and type net user administrator /active: no to disable admin account after the troubleshooting is done.

Hope this information helps, please reply with the status of the issue for any further assistance.