Sluggish Task Manager

I am new to this forum so i might as well say hello to everyone.

I had a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit on my LG E310 laptop. After installing my frequently used programs and is all set-up, i noticed that my task manager started to become sluggish.

Opening it through CTRL+ALT+DEL or through context menu on the taskbar, it will take quite 3 to 5 secs to load. The supposedly 1second interval refresh speed seems to take more than that (but not painfully long).

My main problem is task manager itself is unresponsive. Hovering the mouse pointer through the processes/services list should highlight what is pointed and should do so as I continue moving the pointer, but is not. Highlighted process, service, even tabs, minimize button, exit button and all other clickables will remain highlited from 3 to 5 seconds even though I already moved the pointer away from them. Also, the services list takes more than a minute to load the list.

In some forums I have read, the fix they were suggesting is to create a new user profile and somewhat "migrating" to that new one. I have followed this step and it fixed the problem but only to my surprise that it went back again just after a reboot.

Anyone who had experienced the same problem please help.

reiner said:

I am new to this forum so i might as well say hello to everyone.

I had a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit on my LG E310 laptop. After installing my frequently used programs and is all set-up, i noticed that my task manager started to become sluggish.

Opening it through CTRL+ALT+DEL or through context menu on the taskbar, it will take quite 3 to 5 secs to load. The supposedly 1second interval refresh speed seems to take more than that (but not painfully long).

My main problem is task manager itself is unresponsive. Hovering the mouse pointer through the processes/services list should highlight what is pointed and should do so as I continue moving the pointer, but is not. Highlighted process, service, even tabs, minimize button, exit button and all other clickables will remain highlited from 3 to 5 seconds even though I already moved the pointer away from them. Also, the services list takes more than a minute to load the list.

In some forums I have read, the fix they were suggesting is to create a new user profile and somewhat "migrating" to that new one. I have followed this step and it fixed the problem but only to my surprise that it went back again just after a reboot.

Anyone who had experienced the same problem please help.

Click to expand...

Wellcome to SevenForums Reiner,

Please execute following and attach the startup.txt and install.txt files to your next post.
list of STARTUP PROGRAMS
CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side)

Attach the startup.txt file generated by CCleaner
CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS
CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side)

Attach the install.txt file generated by CCleaner.
CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

hi

it is worth running System File Checker please see brinks tutorial to help/guide you >>> How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker link >>> SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker - Windows 7 Forums

The sfc /scannow command (System File Checker) scans the integrity of all protected Windows 7 system files and replaces incorrect corrupted, changed, or damaged versions with the correct versions if possible.

Click to expand...

@Karlsnooks, I will post those two lists that you need tomorrow as I don't have my laptop here with me at work.

@Brianzion, thanks for the link. Will definitely read and try it.

Thank you both for your replies.

when you run the system file checker, be sure and tell us if sfc reports that there are no integrity violations.

If SFC indicates anything other than complete success then:
REBOOT
Run SFC again

Repeat that sequence once again.

Now let us know whether SFC is happy or not.

Hello,

I have followed the instructions as per the link that Brianzion provided. At first completion of SFC, it reported a few integrity problems but were all fixed. I then started running task manager to see if the problem is solved (right click on taskbar, "start task manager") but to my disappointment it is still sluggish as it is before. Good thing I was quite busy also last night updating my graphics drivers etc. so i didn't mind running SFC again. After the second run, it reported that there were no integrity problems whatsoever but task manager still behaves annoyingly.

However, there was an interesting discovery I have made last night. The sluggish task manager only comes up whenever I try to open it through the context menu in the taskbar (right click, "Start Task Manager"). But typing %windir%\System32\taskmgr.exe in run command will open a normal functioning non-sluggish task manager. Even browsing it manually through folders and double clicking the exe file would yield a normal taskman as well. This is why I came to think that the problem lies somewhere within the context menu's shortcut or something similar to that.

After getting all my drivers updated and everything, ran SFC for like 5 times and about to turn my laptop off, I did a final check of the task manager. Surprisingly the sluggishness went away, regardless of the way I try to open it. I don't know what happened but I am just glad it went back normal yet I am still afraid when I get back home later it will be sluggish again.

Any ideas what caused the problem? And what solved it? And what should I do to prevent/fix it from coming back again?

Thank you so much for helping me through this.

PS
I still attached the lists karlsnooks is asking for.

View attachment install.txt

View attachment startup.txt

Rebooting after the SFC is always necessary.

And yes, run sfc then reboot sequence is necessary one more time after sfc reports not integrity violations.

Great to hear that your problem is fixed.

I'll forego reading and evaluating the two .txt files since your problem is solved.

Big thanks, Karlsnooks.

Actually, it went back again. I am like losing hope and patience for the task manager now, I think I'm reverting to process explorer once more. But I would really prefer the windows default task manager as it is faster to open and simpler interface. I love process explorer as well for its extended functionality as compared to task manager, but I find it unnecessary in daily basis.

I hope we can find a solution for this.

Thank you in advance to all.

Reiner,
There you get my hopes up and then bash them to the floor.

I'll look at the files afterall and get back.

Did I ask what anti-virus you are using?

I ask because some AVs, firewalls can be very interfering.

OK.

I already see a major problem.

You have Comodo, you have Bit Defender installed.

Get rid of at least one of these.

Personally, I'd get rid of both. I've experience with both of these especially with Comodo.

I use, I install, I recommend only Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). Link in my sig.

After removing those two, installing MSE then you should find that Windows Firewall has been turned on for you. And despite all of the dire warnings and fears propagated by the AV companies, MSE and Windows Firewall are a very safe, secure and sound solution which has the least amount of interference with your software.

Let me know what you decide to do. This one matter will probably solve all problems, although i would also make some other recommendations regarding startup programs. Simply dumping those two and using MSE will end all of your problems.

Not exactly related

You could also switch to Process Explorer (it's free from MS).
IMO, it is far superior to Task Manager.

Process Explorer 15.04
Process Explorer

Screenshots (some are animated)









If you click on the little graphs you get bigger versions.
You can also click on the System Information icon in the toolbar (or Ctrl + I)

Karlsnooks,

I have been using comodo and bitdefender for almost 2 years now since my XP and Vista days. Never have I encountered problems like these before. I really appreciate your suggestion of turning to MSE and I would honestly say its a good software (my mother-in-law uses it and i use that PC almost everyday) but comodo + bitdefender combo is really what I prefer. Please do not get me wrong but I am used to their systems already for the past years. Nevertheless, I love those pop-ups and user prompts of those two programs, makes me feel they are really doing their job (I know, its weird as it may seem).

With regards to system resources, I haven't found any problems with those programs. My average CPU usage would play around 0 to 8 when idle (provided that the another annoying service, Search Indexing, is not running full).

I still believe that there can be a fix for this since it wasn't like this before. And like what I have said, the sluggish task manager will open up when I try to open it through context menu on the taskbar.

Without dumping comodo and bitdefender, do you still think this can be fixed?

Thanks for your suggestion and help, Karlsnooks.

Try dumping them.

For dead sure, you don't need both. More is not better when it comes to AV software

lehnerus2000,

Thank you for the suggestion. I am actually using process explorer since like a year ago up until now. Lightweight and extended functionality really makes that program one of my favorites. But as I have said, these extended functions are unnecessary on a daily basis for me. There are two things about process explorer which makes me prefer the default task manager - (1) it opens up not as instantaneous as task manager does and (2) the interface is more advanced-looking. I would really prefer the default task manager for its simple interface and fast loading response because I seldom use either both of them. The thing that is driving me nuts is the fact that why is my task manager is sluggish when I try to open it through the taskbar's context menu and will function just fine when I try to open the .exe file itself through browsing.

Karlsnooks,

Bitdefender = antivirus / antimalware (just AV, firewall, registry protection, script control, etc. are all off)
Comodo = firewall / antimalware (no AV, firewall, sandbox, registry protection, execution control are all on)

This is my set-up. Okay I will really make a decision tonight if I should or should not continue to patronize those two suites.

And what about the startup suggestions you mentioned previously?

For the time-being, remove both of those two and use MSE for protection.

You wll always be able to reinstall them later if we find another source of your problem.

Ok. Will do Karlsnooks. Will update you to what will happen. Cheers!

Horses for Courses

reiner said:

lehnerus2000,
...
There are two things about process explorer which makes me prefer the default task manager - (1) it opens up not as instantaneous as task manager does ...

Click to expand...

I have set a "Task Scheduler" task that opens Process Explorer (automatically, with Admin privileges) when I login.

reiner said:

... and (2) the interface is more advanced-looking. I would really prefer the default task manager for its simple interface and fast loading response because I seldom use either both of them.

Click to expand...

You don't have to have everything turned on.
You could create a simple "Column Set" (and save it) and use it most of the time.

That said, you should use what works best for you.