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Error message: Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator

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This article resolves an error "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator" that occurs when you try to use Task Manager.

Original KB number:   555480

Symptoms

When you try to open Windows Task Manger, the following error may appear:

Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator.

Cause

  1. You use an account that was blocked via the Local Group Policy or Domain Group Policy.

  2. Some registry settings block you from using Task Manager.

Resolution

  1. Verify that the Local Group Policy or Domain Group Policy doesn't block you from using Task Manager.

    • Local Group Policy

      1. Go to Start > Run, type Gpedit.msc, and then press Enter.

      2. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options.

      3. In the right side of the screen, verify that Remove Task Manager option set to Disable or Not Configured.

      4. Close Gpedit.msc MMC.

      5. Go to Start > Run, type gpupdate /force, and then press Enter.

        Note

        If you're using Windows 2000, follow KB 227302 instead stage e. Using SECEDIT to force a Group Policy refresh immediately.

    • Domain Group Policy

      Contact you local IT support team.

  2. Verify correct registry settings:

    1. Go to Start > Run, type regedit, and then press Enter.

      Warning

      Modifying your registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Always back up your files before doing this registry hack.

    2. Navigate to the following registry keys and verify that following settings set to default:

      Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

      [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
      DisableTaskMgr=dword:00000000

      [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy Objects\LocalUser\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
      DisableTaskMgr=dword:00000000

      [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system]
      DisableTaskMgr=dword:00000000

      [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
      DisableCAD=dword:00000000

    3. Reboot the computer.

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