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

Anonymous

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?

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Anonymous

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,

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61 additional answers

Anonymous

2015-02-25T12:11:55+00:00

In my case as it turned out the hard drive was defective. I returned the computer and bought a Dell...which ALSO had a defective hard drive. But since the hard drive was replaced I have not had any trouble with task manager.
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Anonymous

2015-02-25T10:20:23+00:00
I haven't actually seen this error in a while, so I thought the problem was fixed. Here are some things you can try that might be able to fix the problem for you. Please try these steps in the order they are presented for best results.

Thoroughly check all of your hard disks for errors.
1. Right click the start button
2. Choose "Command Prompt (Admin)"
3. If you're prompted by UAC, enter your password, or click Yes to continue
4. type "chkdsk c: /r" without the quotes, and press the enter key. Replace C: with the disk that Windows 8/8.1 is installed on.
5. When prompted to check the disk on next restart, type "Y" without the quotes, and press enter.
6. Restart your computer.
If you have any programs/games installed on a drive other than your Windows system drive, you will want to check that drive the same way after reboot. It is also a good measure to check any drive attached to the system this way about once a month or so.

Check your system for corrupted core system files
1. Right click the start button
2. Choose "Command Prompt (Admin)"
3. If you're prompted by UAC, enter your password, or click Yes to continue
4. Type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes, and press the enter key
5. Once the process is completed, restart your computer.
This is also good practice about once a month, or so as it helps to ensure your core system files remain intact.

Check your system for malware, and viruses

There are many decent malware scanners, and virus scanners out there**.** I personally recommend the programs below. All of them have free versions, and all of them are compatible with windows 8/8.1
1. AVAST Antivirus
2. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
3. Advanced System Care
4. Spybot Search & Destroy
5. Spywareblaster
6. SUPERAntispyware
You can easily remove these programs from startup after you're done using them via the startup tab of the task manager. (Do not remove your antivirus!)

Also check to make sure windows, and your drivers are completely up to date. Drivers can be done through windows update, or device manager., or you can download a free program from IObit called Driver Booster. It helped update my drivers to the latest available.

Please get back to me with the results, and we can go from there.
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Anonymous

2015-02-25T06:14:15+00:00

Anything further on this? Ive got brand new laptop and this problem came up with excel on the second day I tried to use it.
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Anonymous

2014-11-09T19:08:03+00:00

I have the same issue: QuickBooks will not shut down and I receive the "access denied" response. I have disconnected all USB devices from this laptop, including the mouse and the issue persists.

There must be another root cause than the one you suggest.
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