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

Hi,

This is not a problem with file permissions, or malware infections. Changing permissions, or taking ownership of folders, or files INSIDE the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folders is always a bad move, and increases the risk of security breach..

This is also not a problem with file encryption.

I've seen this happen with apps installed both inside, and outside of the Program Files folders. In my own personal experiences, this also never happened before windows 8, and some of the programs at fault worked fine in older versions of windows.

I believe this has to do with how the process (or some part of it) is executed, or how it is elevated.

For me, the biggest culprit of this was speedfan, which ran fine up to windows 7. For the first year, I also saw this happening consistently with Skype for Windows desktop, if the app crashed, or otherwise needed to be closed.

Hi Jay,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

With the information which you have provided, it looks like there might be some security reasons or permission restrictions for the process which you are trying to close.

I suggest you to change the permission according to your user account and check if it helps.

When you want to end a process and you get the error “Access Denied”, then

Open Task manager and right click on the particular process.

Then follow the steps mentioned under the section “Issue 1: I receive an “Access Denied” error message when I try to access or work with files and folders” in the following Microsoft Article to change the permission:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2623670

If the issue still persists, then download **** and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner.

Refer to the following link:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

Disclaimer: Data or files which are infected by malware might be beyond cleaning and have to be deleted entirely to maintain the integrity of your system, which means there might be a potential for data loss.

I would also suggest you to go through the link which I had provided in my last response and see if that helps in any way. Here is the link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2681286/en-us

Keep us posted on the status of the issue and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.

Answers to your quiestions:

1. This issue is exactly what the thread title says it is. See number 2 for a more detailed description.
2. Sometimes (or all the time with some programs, as listed previously in this thread) programs refuse to quit, and if you use task manager to attempt to end/terminate the offending program, you receive a message that says something akin to "Unable to end process. Access is denied."
3. This issue is not specific to games. I've seen many programs do this, including Skype for Windows Desktop. From my personal experience, this is mostly with older apps.

System Requirements, and Drivers:

For most of the offending apps, systems that run windows 8/8.1 exceed the minimum system requirements. This happens on a wide variety of hardware configurations, most of which very likely have updated chipset, and graphics drivers. With this in mind, I do not believe that this is related to system requirements, or drivers.

Hi,

Thank you for writing your concern on Microsoft Community.

We understand your concern and we apologize for not being able to address your concern in a timely manner. I can see here that you have put in a lot of efforts to resolve the issue and I appreciate that.

I would require some more information in order to assist you better:

1. Are you referring to the same issue which is related to task manager?
2. If not, then what is the exact issue which you are facing?
3. Is the issue specific to games or with other programs also?

If the issue is specific to particular games, then I suggest you to check whether the system meets the minimum requirement for the game or not.

I would also suggest you to try the steps mentioned in the below mentioned Microsoft Article and check if it helps:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2681286/en-us

If the issue still persists, then try updating the graphics card and the chipset from the manufacturer’s website and check the behavior.

You may also try the following link for further reference:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/all-drivers

Let us know the status of the issue and get back to us for further assistance.

We’ll be glad to assist.