Windows Task Manager Problems

Recently I inadvertently downloaded a piece of software with a virus that my anti-virus did not catch until after it damaged my PC.  ESET NOD32 eliminated the culprit but it had already executed it’s payload during a software install and my Windows Task Manager was affected and would not start.  Unfortunately I was in a hurry to clean my system and didn’t catch the name of the malware.

When I would attempt to run Task Manager, in any fashion, I would receive an error “Windows is unable to find file ‘taskmgr.exe’”  If I made a copy, renamed it to “whatever.exe” and executed the application it would work flawlessly.

I know what you are thinking.  Software, virus, run Spybot Search and Destroy!  Sure, I already did that.  Via a BartPE environment.  No dice.  I also ran A/V scans with Symantec, ESET, McAfee and AVG  from BartPE and other boot disks.  It was like banging my head against the wall.

Finally I decided to get creative and I fixed my problem.  Most likely there was a registry key issue but I never found it.  Here’s what I did.

Install Process Explorer from MS Technet, a great tool by Mark Russinovich.  After you have downloaded the tools run Process Explorer (procexp.exe).

Click on the Options menu and then “Replace Task Manager.”  This simply replaces taskmgr.exe with procexp.exe, a more powerful utility.  If you run Task Manager, Process Explorer will execute.  Flawless.

Replace Task Manager in Process Explorer

That worked but I wanted Task Manager fixed.  It was a matter of pride.  I just reverted the change in Process Explorer by clicking Options and then “Restore Task Manager.”  Boom.  Task Manager is now working perfectly.

Restore Task Manager in Process Explorer

I beat my head on this for a few days.  I’m hoping to spare you the same headache.  It was quite frustrating being unable to properly use Task Manager.  Personally, I prefer Process Explorer so I have configured my system(s) to use Process Explorer instead of Task Manager.

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