Error Windows Task Manager - a direct path to reinstall the system

Taskmgr.exe is one of the most important user applications of the Windows operating system, which helps to understand the programs currently running in the system. The own purpose of taskmgr.exe can be understood from its official name - Task Manager. “Walk” and other names - System Monitor or Launch Manager.

How to Fix Taskmgr.exe Error.

Purpose

The main functions of Taskmgr are to reflect the currently running program processes in the system, including all system services and the status of their activity. In addition, what is especially important for the user, you can stop the launch of any process that causes suspicion - it either loads the system to the maximum or hangs. Often, it is the termination of the program through the Task Manager is the only way to continue working in Windows without restarting it.

In addition, using this dispatcher, you can get information about PC performance, processor usage, system load, memory used, network activity, and registered users. Another feature of the Dispatcher is the ability to change the priorities of the execution of running programs. Taskmgr.exe works in the background, the fastest and most common way to start it is using the Ctrl + Alt + Del key combination. Then in the window that opens, the user selects the item - “Start Task Manager”. You can make a call through the context menu of the Windows Taskbar.

It should be understood that Task Manager is a utility program that allows the user to control other programs running on the system, so the completion of taskmgr.exe - disabling the Manager is not recommended, and there is no need to. But if you wish, this possibility of disconnection is allowed through the system registry. To do this, go to the registry in the HKCU \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ System \ folder, where you set the dword type parameter - DisableTaskMgr to '1'.

Causes of errors

As a matter of fact, Task Manager is the same program as any other, placing its executable file in the Windows system folder. And since the Dispatcher is presented in the system as an independent and accessible exe-file, then, unfortunately, it is possible that he is the object of virus infection. In this case, the masking of the virus occurs in the traditional way - by simply joining the Dispatcher's executable code. In other words, infect Task Manager - a 100% guarantee of the launch of the virus itself immediately after booting the system.

Please note that access to the Task Manager is possible only to a user with Administrator rights. This is at least some protection against infection of the program on the network. Among the signs of errors in the taskmgr.exe file is that it simply does not start. The fact is that viruses infecting the Dispatcher always try to disable it immediately, so that the user cannot check the list of running programs, well, and thus detect the virus among those running. Among the viruses using this approach are Zotob and Spybot worms.

Very often, viruses, without directly infecting the Dispatcher itself, simply disable it in the registry. The goal is the same - to cancel the ability to control running programs in the system. More advanced tools to hide viruses allow you to simply cancel the output of the corresponding executable files in the Manager's list. Thus, if you suspect that an error occurs on an infected taskmgr.exe, then you need to do simple operations - first disable its launch through the registry, and then scan your PC with an antivirus program. To begin to carry out treatment, perhaps this will be enough. Otherwise, you just have to delete the infected taskmgr.exe file.

List of possible errors when running taskmgr.exe

If the Dispatcher has errors, the user of the system may receive the following messages:

  • "Taskmgr.exe Application Error";
  • "Taskmgr.exe is not a Win32 application";
  • “Taskmgr.exe has encountered a problem. The application will be closed. We are sorry for the inconvenience ";
  • "Taskmgr.exe file not found";
  • "Taskmgr.exe not found";
  • "Error starting program: taskmgr.exe";
  • “Taskmgr.exe is not running”;
  • "Failure Taskmgr.exe";
  • "Invalid application path: taskmgr.exe";

The appearance of any of these messages is not necessarily a sign of infection. They can occur if the installation of Windows fails, when the program is installed, when the program itself uses the taskmgr.exe file (usually these are applications that use functions from the Windows software developer's library SDK). To reliably eliminate the error, it is very important to accurately determine the moment of its occurrence and the environment in which the error occurred. Before you make antivirus check, it is always useful to first check the registry for damage.

Recommended action algorithm

Thus, the following algorithm appears actions taken, if the PC has a problem with the file taskmgr.exe.

  1. To carry out the most thorough cleaning of the system from “garbage” - temporary files and folders, non-working and unused programs, previously deleted programs, from which there are not deleted files.
  2. Check the complete registry, paying special attention to entries related to Applications / Applications to the SDK and DDK libraries.
  3. Conduct a full and thorough scan of your computer for viruses.

  4. Update drivers of all PC devices.
  5. You can try to use system restore. If you are lucky, the system will recover in its previous version.
  6. Download and reinstall the new version of the taskmgr.exe file itself.
  7. Update all Windows services.

If all these actions do not help, one thing remains - to format the hard drive and “clean” to reinstall Windows.

Conclusion

This program in the Windows system is called loudly - Program Manager. In fact, its function is much narrower - yes, the program manager, but only for the user. The system itself is engaged in managing its resources by completely different means. From here a conclusion: the idle Program Manager or failures in it is not a reason to panic that the system has "flown". However, full control over the PC is lost. Most likely, the reason for the virus. But some of them hide their connection with the Dispatcher so skillfully that the only guaranteed way to resume the Dispatcher’s work is to reinstall the system. What we advise you not to forget about, first, of course, trying to solve the problem with the help of “peaceful” means.