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: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-20T15:58:32+00:00

    I'm having the exact same problem. Microsoft needs to acknowledge this bug ASAP and learn about PR.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-22T09:14:14+00:00

    I'm having the same issue trying to kill a process.  How can this thread have gone on so long with no good response from Microsoft?

    Agreed... it's 2014 and I'm still having this problem in Windows 8.1.

    In some cases after clicking "end process" a very long disk dump occurs (I'm not sure what or why) but the activity is basically 100% for several minutes.  Following this maybe 5 minutes later -- the process occasionally will end on its own.  But even so, this is unacceptable from a UX point of view as:

    1. As a user, you have no idea what is happening with your OS.. no dialog or notification to wait etc
    2. "End Process" should do what it says and issue a kill signal that happens IMMEDIATELY.  This is because ending a process is typically the last resort... you don't want to wait 5 minutes whilst it potentially does god knows what to and corrupt the file system or worse.

    Microsoft - please urgently acknowledge this issue for what it is first and post what action is being taken second.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. 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
  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-27T05:31:38+00:00

    I am having exact same issues.  I'm not sure that it's a driver's issue. This has occurred to me on a few downloaded games apps. Is it an apps developer issue, or Microsoft issue?  Either case it needs to be resolved...it hear more people disenchanted with Windows every day....not sure if it's just in my circles?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments