Unable to Start the Windows Task List

 Last reviewed: February 15, 1995
Article ID: Q69687
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Windows Task Manager does not work if the SYSTEM.INI file entry for the Windows Task Manager is incorrect, or the file TASKMAN.EXE is damaged or missing.

If the following line appears in the [BOOT] section of the SYSTEM.INI file, the Windows Task Manager (TASKMAN.EXE) does not load: 

   taskman.exe=

MORE INFORMATION

For the Windows Task Manager to function correctly, either remove the above line from the SYSTEM.INI file or change the line to: 

   taskman.exe=taskman.exe
If the TASKMAN.EXE file is not in the search path or if it has been removed, deleted, or renamed, the Task List will not appear when you double-click the Desktop or press CTRL+ESC.

Verify that the TASKMAN.EXE file is located in the WINDOWS directory. TASKMAN.EXE can be expanded from the original Windows disks into the WINDOWS directory using the EXPAND.EXE utility.

Windows 3.0, 3.0a: Expanding TASKMAN.EXE

For Windows 3.0, copy the EXPAND.EXE program from disk 1 to your WINDOWS directory and use the following command: 

   expand a:taskman.exe c:\windows\taskman.exe

Windows 3.1: Expanding TASKMAN.EXE

For Windows 3.1, use the following command: 

   expand a:taskman.ex_ c:\windows\taskman.exe
By default, Windows loads the Task Manager. The TASKMAN.EXE= line in the SYSTEM.INI file was designed to allow the use of other Task Managing programs in Windows. If the above line exists, Task Switching capabilities still function by pressing ALT+TAB if the following line is in the [WINDOWS] section of the WIN.INI file: 

   COOLSWITCH=1

KBCategory: kbenv kbtshoot
KBSubcategory: win30 win31
Additional reference words: tshoot 3.10 control escape ctrl esc 3.11 task
list

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Last reviewed: February 15, 1995
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