I think I broke Task manager

[drfsupercenter]

OK, so this may sound weird.

I installed SysInternals ProcessExplorer as I like it better than the normal Task Manager (OK, not 'install' per se, but I downloaded it)

I then added it to Startup so it's always running with my computer.

Well just for fun, I checked "Replace task manager", and now Task Manager won't open when I select that option after doing a control-alt-delete. The problem is that in ProcessExplorer, that box always remains unchecked, so I don't know how I'd restore TaskManager functionality.

Anybody know of a way/registry tweak to do this?

 

[johngalt]

yup - don't run Process explorer as admin.

IOW, close PE (using PE - I love doing that)
Run PE manually (if it gives you a UAC prompt, you'll need to change it so that it does not always try to run as admin)
check "restore Task manager"

 

[drfsupercenter]

I didn't run it as admin...

But that being said, I disabled UAC as it's irritating, so I don't know what it tried to run as.

Can you still use ProcessExplorer as usual if it's not being run as admin?

 

[molotov]

Hi drfsupercenter,

To restore Task Manager, run regedit elevated or as an administrator, and rename / remove the Debugger value in the [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe] key.

 

[drfsupercenter]

I'll try it.

One thing I don't get though is the whole elevation/administrator deal... I'm the only account on the computer, doesn't that automatically make me an administrator? If not, can it be done? I want to do what I want, not have to specially tell it to use administrative privileges!

 

[drfsupercenter]

Oh wow, so I discovered something else...

Turns out TaskMgr.exe was deleted entirely, as I did a "run" command and got an error that the file couldn't be found. Can someone upload the taskmgr.exe from Windows 7 so I can put it back where it belongs?

 

[zigzag3143]

Oh wow, so I discovered something else...

Turns out TaskMgr.exe was deleted entirely, as I did a "run" command and got an error that the file couldn't be found. Can someone upload the taskmgr.exe from Windows 7 so I can put it back where it belongs?

Do you have a backup to restore from? 32 bit or 64?

BTW there is a thread here abt blue task manager to replace the original. Search for it and dl. It looks better anyway

 

[drfsupercenter]

Nope. Only my Windows XP machine.

And I'm using 64-bit.

And I still want the original
Even if I get another one to run on the side (like ProcessExplorer)

 

[zigzag3143]

sorry Im 32bit. the blue task manager is the same as the original just blue. Hope someone has it for you

Ken

 

[smarteyeball]

Are you sure you deleted taskmanager? From both:

C:\Windows\System32\

and

C:\Windows\SysWOW64

Anyway, here they are just in case - both of them:

View attachment 25584SysWOW64

View attachment 25585System32

 

[drfsupercenter]

*I* didn't delete it... all I know is I put "taskmgr" in the Run box and it popped up an error saying it couldn't find taskmgr.exe.

But thanks for those!

 

[drfsupercenter]

The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.

Hmm.

But the weird thing is there actually IS a taskmgr.exe in System32, but if I double-click it it says it can't find the file. Maybe it got corrupted?

 

[drfsupercenter]

...Wow.

Something is just ODD here.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6403/taskmanager.png <-- See that screenshot.

I downloaded the blue task manager, and even when it wasn't in the system32 folder, every time I try to run it I get the error about it not finding the file.

Is it possible ProcessExplorer did something else to seriously screw it up?

Because I'd hate to have to reinstall Windows... :/

 

[zigzag3143]

...Wow.

Something is just ODD here.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6403/taskmanager.png <-- See that screenshot.

I downloaded the blue task manager, and even when it wasn't in the system32 folder, every time I try to run it I get the error about it not finding the file.

Is it possible ProcessExplorer did something else to seriously screw it up?

Because I'd hate to have to reinstall Windows... :/

You need to have Task manager in 64, and 32 locations. They also need to be the right task manager. Im gonna say it again. there is a thread here with task manager Blue that gives you instructions on how to put it in and rename the previous one in case you need to roll back. Even if you dont want the blue version the instruciotns might give you something

Ken

 

[drfsupercenter]

I DID download the blue version.

But for the record, that version doesn't support the final build... I just used the most recent one. And there was only one taskmgr.exe...

--EDIT--

Yep. I tried doing everything according to the instructions, in both folders. And still, nothing. It still errors every time.

And say I copy that file to C:/, it'll give me a "Cannot find file C:/taskmgr.exe" error. Regardless where, it just refuses to run taskmgr.exe... both the original and the blue one.

Anyone ever heard of such a problem?

 

[SIW2]

Windows cannot find taskmgr.exe - MajorGeeks Support Forums

 

[drfsupercenter]

Yeah but that's when it's a malware problem.

I can assure it's not a malware problem, as I haven't downloaded anything but software on this computer (and software from like CNet's download.com)

 

[drfsupercenter]

Hi drfsupercenter,

To restore Task Manager, run regedit elevated or as an administrator, and rename / remove the Debugger value in the [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe] key.

Hey, that fixed it!

So ProcessExplorer puts a Debugger key in there that screws with task manager?

I shoulda tried that earlier... but I just tried it now, and now I can use task manager again!

But it's that blue task manager I got from DeviantArt... I'd still like the original files if somebody has them.

 

[zigzag3143]

see smarteyeball post he has attached them

Ken

Edit: sorry but it looks like the admins removed the files

 

[drfsupercenter]

The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.

That's what it says when I click on them.