Task manager - Can't end processes (Access Denied)

Anonymous
2012-12-20T23:54:33+00:00

Recently I've been having problems ending processes. Whenever I try to end a certain processes I keep getting an access denied error and I have no other way of removing processes as it wont go away even if I turn off my computer. This is pretty weird considering what I'm trying to end is game processes. So now I can't play certain games as I keep getting "Program is already opened" errors when I try to play them and there's no way I can play them. Some of the games that still play even without me having to kill the task completely now have multiple copies of the process and I can't end any of them.

I've tried messing with the permissions on the files and it didn't work, I also tried messing with the admin rights and such but no luck. My account is an admin

Can anyone help me out?

***Post moved by the moderator to the appropriate forum category.***

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-12-21T16:00:50+00:00

Hi HyperXII,

Thank you for posting this question in Microsoft Community Forums!!

I see that you aren’t able to end tasks in Task Manager.

I will certainly guide you in the right direction to get the issue fixed.

But before we continue to the resolution, could you give us more information?

1.     Do all the game processes point to a single task?

Here’s what you can try:

Method 1: Perform Safe Mode and Clean Boot.

Step 1: Follow the steps given in the link below to check if the issue occurs in Safe Mode.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

Choose Safe Mode as the Startup Setting.

If you still can’t end the processes, continue to perform Step 2.

Step 2: Clean Boot

Follow the steps given in the link below to perform Clean Boot.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Check if you are able to end the processes in Clean Boot.

Note: Please go through step 3 of the Kb to keep the computer in normal startup after fixing the issue

Method 2: Re-install the games and check if the issue continues.

**Step 1:**Uninstall the games and check if you are able to end the tasks.

Step 2: Follow the link below to get help to install the games.

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/Program_Install_and_Uninstall/

Please get back to us with the results.

If you have any further questions about Windows, write to us anytime.

We are happy to help!!

Regards,

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

61 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-04T04:13:46+00:00

    There is no point in requesting. Microsoft has a cheap mindset. Instead of acknowledging that there is a bug, they are remaining silent just to cover up their defects. One bug is not a big deal. instead of being cheap and covering it up, had they stood up and declared that there is a bug, it would not only save customers' time but also would increase people's respect towards them. These kind of cheap policies only enrage people. I'm surprised that you are asking with a "please" on a 2 year old thread. If you are really serious, then start advocating piracy of MS products. These people are cheating customers. There is nothing wrong in cheating them in return

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-22T13:45:27+00:00

    I can confirm this is a drivers issue:

    When you get this "access denied" when you try to close a program:

    1. keep the task manager open
    2. start disconnecting USB devices one by one and pay close attention to the task manager
    3. the affected app should close automatically after you disconnect the device that is holding it open
    4. update the driver for that device if available

    This problem was driving me nuts as much as you guys and I also thought it was a problem in windows 8 but is not.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-16T12:29:01+00:00

    Same here.

    Windows 8.1

    Randomly, one app gets stuck once in a while and I cannot kill it...not even restart works, I have to turn off the machine completely.

    Seems like Windows 8 has some problem on this regard that needs to be solved. I suspect is something on the permissions management.

    I tried all possible solutions and nothing works so far.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-12-14T10:50:56+00:00

    While doing a system restore did fix the issue for me, it reappeared quite soon after. I identified it to be a problem with Epson printer software - as soon as I stopped it from loading at startup the issue disappeared again.

    Thanks for your very full reply.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments