How to enable Windows task manager and Windows registry editor (regedit) in XP
By rajkishor09
If you are a computer user then you might also have heard about viruses. There are few viruses which do havoc on prey computer and changes its behavior drastically. I also use computer and many time got some strange response from computer, for example when I tried to “show hidden folders” from folder option, it didn’t and reverted back to “Don’t show hidden file and folders”. Not only this when I tried to hit “Ctrl + Alt + Del” it shown a message stating that “Task manager has been disabled by administrator”. It was very strange to me because I was doing this from an account having administrative privilege. I asked few techs who are experienced in this field but they didn’t have any answer. Few suggested me to format and install a fresh OS. But I don’t want to format because you know again I have to spend hours to install all required softwares and drivers. So I had tired few trick found on websites and enabled task manager and registry editor in my Windows XP PC and I am going to share this with you.
But before you follow the procedure mentioned here I would suggest you to make your pc virus free. Update your antivirus and scan your computer thoroughly because if virus still lives in your computer then all your hard work will become useless. To use this trick please log into account having administrative privilege or something similar. This method worked fine in Windows 2000 & Windows XP.
Error message appears
To enable Task Manager do the following:
To enable Task Manager that was disabled by some virus please do the following to get back access.
- Click on “Start” then on “Run” or alternatively you can press Windows Key and R to open ‘Run prompt’ or see “Run prompt” image.
- Now type “gpedit.msc” without quotes in the textbox and hit Enter key. This should open ‘Group Policy Editor’.
- Now follow to: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System-> Ctrl+Alt+Del Options or see image of “Group Policy of Task Manager”.
- Now on right side pane you will find “Remove Task Manager”, double click it. It will open “Remove Task Manager properties”.
- Now select “Disabled” radio button and click Apply and OK and you Task Manger is enabled or see image “Remove Task Manager properties”.
This is how you can enable task manager disabled by virus or any malware. If for any reason you cannot access Group Policy Editor’ (XP home does not have Group Policy Editor’) then you can try alternate method. Press Windows key + R and copy paste following lines in the textbox without quotes and hit Enter key.
“REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f”
Now you can open Task Manager but if cannot open then restart your PC and then try to open Task Manager. Still you have any problem then drop comment with Operating System name. I’ll try my best to solve your problem.
If this thing is a bit confusing for then you can download a batch file created by me and double click and it will do the job.
Enable Task Manager in Windows XP
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To enable Registry Editor (Regedit) do the following:
To enable Registry Editor that was disabled by some virus please do the following to get back access.
- Click on “Start” then on “Run” or alternatively you can press Windows Key and R to open ‘Run prompt’ or see “Run prompt” image.
- Now type “gpedit.msc” without quotes in the textbox and hit Enter key. This should open ‘Group Policy Editor’.
- Now follow to: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System or see image of “Group Policy of Task Manager”.
- Now on right side pane you will find “Prevent access to registry editing tools”, double click it. It will open “Prevent access to registry editing tools properties”.
- Now select “Disabled” radio button and click Apply and OK and you Registry Editor is enabled or see image “Prevent access to registry editing tools properties”.
This is how you can enable regedit in Windows XP disabled by virus or any malware. If for any reason you cannot access Group Policy Editor’ (XP home does not have Group Policy Editor’) then you can try alternate method. Press Windows key + R and copy paste following lines in the textbox without quotes and hit Enter key.
“REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f”.
Now you can open Registry Editor (regedit) but if cannot open then restart your PC and then try to open Registry Editor (regedit). Still you have any problem then drop comment with Operating System name. I’ll try my best to solve your problem.
If this thing is a bit confusing for then you can download a batch file created by me and double click and it will do the job.
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Comments
Hello Subhradeep : If this trick didn’t work then you should tell me which trick you applied, you operating system name and error you are getting after applying this trick. and importantly should left any email for contact.
Thanks
Hi there, am trying to disable task manager and am having no luck. Have tried both options (gpedit.msc and regedit). This seems to work on standalone pc's but not a networked pc.... Is this the problem? Can disable everything else ie. lock computer, change password and remove logoff. Am using xp professional sp2. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou, Arjun.
Email: arjun.kenth@vanderlande.com
Thanks this was really helpful.
THANK U VIKY YOUR SUPPORT
thanks yaar you have solved my problem its really works thank you so much
Really good knowledge, TaskMgr and Regedit are really so important and I just cant think Windows without those utils.
Gpedit.msc really offers hundreds of options that we should atleast try to go through once.
Thank you friend for your kind support, but I'm depressed to tell you that it didn't work for me. I tried MBAM, Trojan Remover both of which showed my registry and task manager to have been disabled by a virus, but none of them managed to remove the hijacked settings despite several tries and reboots.
Further help would be appreciated
My OS is XP professional
Core2Duo
2gb ram
2GHz
Excellent Boss, U have not only resolved my issue regarding task manager & REGEDIT , but also u gave me the scope to earn more knowledge on WINDOWS and showed me the path to resolve so many related problems myself.
THANKS A LOT FROM MY HEART
wow thanx a lot........................
Hey windows lovers
First and foremost.... Thanks for the post. Nice information.
Windows lovers sorry to disappoint you... but it took such a long time to get these this things on my friends machine...... Linux rules man... try using it's command prompt commands... its lightening fast dude...... Penguin Rules.......
Gpedit method works perfectly for me..thanks.
thenx alot guys
Thanks for help
thanks buddie
thanks buddie
hi this will solve my messager problum but till i am not able toopen task manager bcoz it is automatically hide after open so i can see anything
Plase suggest whats i do
i am using win XP
Thankyou very much sir/madam
i really appreciate you guys this worked for me 100%
I am using XP and my comp was attacjed by a malware few days ago. I tried to cleanup with spybot but task mgr and rededit are disabled. gpedit.msc doesnt work on my comp (XP). I tried to run the commands you have specified but it didnt seem to help much. Taskmanager opens for 4-5 seconds and closes. Regedit opens 2 seconds and closes. Restart did not help. Rightclick is disabled too. I start IE and internet after restarting the comp and before the virus activates, so it cannot capture my IE, else even browser gets disabled. I wanted to restore regedit so i could restore some entried changed by virus. Cd u pls suggest something? Thanks so much.
i followed ur instructions it really worked..i m very thankful to u..keep it up..
thank you so much sir it helped me enable my task manager and the registry editor from the dangerous vireses vote up 1000%
@thatcoffee : i think virus is still there which is disabling this, first you update you anti-virus program. Scan your PC then apply my trick. Thank you.
wowowowow v helpfull
I say thank you for help me
dear friends
I have Atom System possessor is 1.60GHz 1 GB RAM now Problem is My Task Manager & Regedit.exe is disable I Follow this Step But Problem is not solved & I can't Format My System so Please help my...
i want to make bat file who select ... dont show hidden files and foldes ...Folder Option... Automatically by runing Bat file.
Please Help
Dear Sir,
First of all thanx for your advice.But within Task Manager section one of the name which was you provided has to be changed."DisableTaskMgr"is the correct word.in addition user has to enable Administrator's account through "security options"within Group Policy Editing window.Thanx again.
really good help
hi,
when i am trying to run gpedit.msc but the group editor policy page for 2 seconds after that it gets closed automatically. plz help how can i sort out this problem.
thanks
ashutosh
Ok i have enabled task manager and registry.user account control also have been disabled due to virus.if i enabled it and restart pc.it is again disabled.pls help me to enable it
Thank you to help me in doing activation of taskmanager of my pc i.e,windows xp sp2
Thanks , Very Helpful :)
Very good solution
Thanks
guys if u still face problem? then open regedit and under polices u change the allow and deny status permission to ur account name only, delete admin and guest because virus only control through admin its system default , it dont know ur account name:)1000 % works for more detail plz mail me pramothmech@gmail.com
i downloaded the batch file,and its done.
yeah it worked...thanks
I am happy that it worked for you.
this is very helpful to me
Subhradeep 2 years ago
It didnt work....Its ol da same as it was before.....It got enabled bt da task manager is still not openin......