How do I restore TaskMgr.exe after AVG TuneUp Utilities removed it?

[Cbouma]

I think TuneUp Utilities 2014 removed my taskmgr.exe file from my Win 7 laptop. Here's what happened:

-My CPU was slightly slower than when I bought it so I downloaded and ran the trial of AVG TuneUp Utilities 2014. It asked me if I wanted to replace my default task manager with their better task manager and I said okay and let it use its own task manager (it was nice...while it lasted).

- After running the utility, certain functions and programs stopped working properly on my laptop. But I could select "run task manager" just fine, and their task manager would popup.

- My trial ended, and I didn't buy the full version. I tried to uninstall the normal ways, and nothing worked, so I downloaded AVG's special uninstaller for TuneUp Utilities and ran that. Rebooted my computer and it was gone.

- BUT NOW when I try to run task manager it says the file cannot be located. I have gone and verified that taskmgr.exe is indeed in C\Windows\System32\ like it should be, but clicking on it gives the message that "it cannot be found...".

I'm 99% sure that AVG is responsible but suppose it could be a Virus happening at the "perfect time" coincidentally. But I was running MalwareBytes scans before an after, so I doubt that.

QUESTION: How do I restore task manager? Do I have to reinstall windows completely, or is there a better way?

 

[rgd1101]

See if this fix it
http/pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/sfc-scannow.htm

 

[Cbouma]

Okay, I'm running that now. I'll come back to let you know if that works or not. Thanks so much!

 

[Cbouma]

That did not fix it. Here's a copy of my cmd window:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\windows\system32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

C:\windows\system32>sfc /scanfile=c:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe


Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

C:\windows\system32>taskmgr.exe
The system cannot find the file C:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe.

C:\windows\system32>

It looks like the file is there, checks it and says it has integrity, and then when I try to open it (every way possible it seems) it says it can't find the file for task manager! ???

 

[Cbouma]

So, does anyone have another suggestion? I still have NO TASK MANAGER at all. I also can't open certain programs like kindle for desktop ever since I ran that dumb AVG "Cleanup" program.

Is there some way I could get AVG to fix their mess?

 

[rgd1101]

did you try opening it in the windows explorer windows? what the size of the exe?

 

[Cbouma]

It says it has a size of 251 KB but when I try to open it it still just says that the file cannot be found.

 

[Paul NZ]

Is it 32 or 64 bit and which version of Windows 7 is it? And was it installed with or without SP1?

And do you have the DVD?

 

[Cbouma]

Win 7 Home Premium
I think it probably had SP1, but not sure how to tell that.
Yes, I made OS DVD backups shortly after receiving the laptop when it was new. But I bought it from Toshiba with Win 7 installed and they didn't send a dvd.

Do you think the only solution is to reinstall the OS from the DVD's I made? It actually has been crashing more since I ran TuneUp Utilities too! Maybe it just completely messed up my OS files.

 

[Cbouma]

Is it 32 or 64 bit and which version of Windows 7 is it? And was it installed with or without SP1?

And do you have the DVD?

Sorry, I forgot to hit reply the first time:
Win 7 Home Premium
I think it probably had SP1, but not sure how to tell that.
Yes, I made OS DVD backups shortly after receiving the laptop when it was new. But I bought it from Toshiba with Win 7 installed and they didn't send a dvd.

Do you think the only solution is to reinstall the OS from the DVD's I made? It actually has been crashing more since I ran TuneUp Utilities too! Maybe it just completely messed up my OS files.

 

[rgd1101]

If you can backup your data, and reinstall the os, yeah sure that probably best as it look like AVG mess up a bunch of stuff.

 

[mdd1963]

from cmd window:

sfc /scannow

(note the space after "sfc")

 

[mdd1963]

Do you have a restore point made prior to the corruption of taskmgr?

 

[Cbouma]

Do you have a restore point made prior to the corruption of taskmgr?

I do, but when I tried to restore them, it said it didn't succeed. I think AVG may have "cleaned-up" my restore points...

 

[PHJ2822013]

I have this problem after running the 2015 trial of AVG TuneUp Utilities, which I have now deleted. I did let it create a restore point, but I couldn't find the restore point it created. I will never try AVG's products again, trial or full version.

 

[USAFRet]

I have this problem after running the 2015 trial of AVG TuneUp Utilities, which I have now deleted. I did let it create a restore point, but I couldn't find the restore point it created. I will never try AVG's products again, trial or full version.

No, this is the reason you don't run any of these 'tune up' utilities, AVG or otherwise.
AVG antivirus is fine.
Tune up junk...not so much.

 

[elirey36]

did you try uninstalling the avg clean up/pc tune up program? that's what fixed it for me

 

[CWEric]

Tune up utility are like miracle pills. They delete/turn stuff to make your computer run faster, but if those programs are useless then why does Microsoft consider having Windows run them in the background unless those programs are adwares you downloaded off the internet. The only cleaning utility that is ok for you to use is CCleaner and that should be run only once every 6 months.

 

[BTCM at VOT]

Google: Lots of solutions as to how Task Manager is enabled and disabled.
Google> disable enable task manager regedit

Regedit (be very careful here!)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\System
Double Click (edit) DisableTaskMgr
set the value to 0 to enable or 1 to disable

To effect all users use the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\System