How to Enable/Disable Task Manager (UPDATED)

Task Manager Has Been Disabled, How to Fix It?

Many times when working on a computer that has been infected with a virus, trojan, or piece of spyware I find myself with the Task Manager being disabled.
Malware creators like to disable Task Manager so it makes solving the problem and removing the issue difficult.
If this happens you'll normally have to edit the Windows registry to fix the problem.
A restriction has been placed on the user to not allow them to run Task Manager, this might be ok in an office environment where the IT department wants to control things, but in a home office this can cause major problems trying to fix a malware or virus issue.

Path:          

This method shows you where Task Manager is located in Windows using Windows Explorer

Please perform the following steps:
Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and filesFor more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

 

Type C:\Windows\System32 and press ok

In the System32 folder you can find taskmgr file

Disable:          

When you try to open Task Manager from Start bar the button is grayed out

 

When you try to open Task Manager this message will be displayed:

Task Manager has been disable by your administrator.

Gpedit:          
Warning Computers running Windows 7 Home do not have access to Group Policy (gpedit.msc) 

This method shows you how to Disable/Enable Task Manager from Group Policy

Please perform the following steps:
Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and filesFor more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

Type gpedit.msc and press Enter

In the Group Policy window please navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Ctrl+Alt+Del Options  and open Remove Task Manager

 The Default state is Not Configured and Task Manager is Enable
To Enable taskmgr select DisableTo Disable taskmgr select Enable 
To finish press ok button and close Group Policy window

CMD:   

This method shows you how to Disable/Enable Task Manager from Command Prompt

Please perform the following steps:
Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and files.For more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

 

Type cmd, right click on cmd icon under the Programs and click on Run as administrator

 

Please confirm User Account Control pop-up

Please select, right and copy a registry key from below, then right click on command prompt window, select Paste and press Enter
To Disable Task Manager:
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

To Enable Task Manager:
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

To finish please close command prompt window

Regedit:  

This method shows you how to Disable/Enable Task Manager from Registry Editor

Please perform the following steps:
Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and filesFor more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

Type regedit and press ok

Please confirm UAC pop-ups in order to continue

Microsoft official disclaimer
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or byusing another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoftcannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
Please navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System and locate DisableTaskMgr registrykey

Double click on DisableTaskMgr and edit the value:

To Disable Task Manager:
Change the data value with 1
To Enable Task Manager:
Change the data value with 0

To finish press ok button and close Registry Editor window.