Symptom
When you try to open Task Manager, the following error may occur:
Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator
Resolution
This error is caused by restrictions placed in the registry. To enable Task Manager, try any of these methods:
IMPORTANT: If this restrictions are placed 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 restrictions 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
Click Start, Run and type this command exactly as given below: (better – Copy and paste)
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Method 2
Download and run this REG fix and double-click it.
Method 3
Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
Navigate to the following branch:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ System
In the right-pane, delete the value named DisableTaskMgr
Close Regedit.exe
Method 4:
Using Group Policy Editor – for Windows XP Professional
Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Navigate to this branch:
User Configuration / Administrative Templates / System / Ctrl+Alt+Delete Options / Remove Task Manager
Double-click the Remove Task Manager option.
Set the policy to Not Configured.