Documentation Error for DisableTaskManager Registry Setting

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation Resource Kit version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server Resource Kit version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

The Windows NT Resource Kit 4.0 documentation includes the information on how to disable the Task Manager in Windows NT 4.0 Workstation and Server with Service Pack 2 or later applied by adding a certain key and value to a user's registry.

However, if the registry setting "DisableTaskManager" with a value of "1" is added to a user's registry as documented in the resource kit, the Task Manager still can be started using any of the methods available.

MORE INFORMATION

The Task Manager in Windows NT 4.0 can be started using any of the following methods:

• Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to get the Windows NT Security dialog box and click Task Manager.
• Right-click the Windows NT Taskbar and select the Task Manager menu option.
• Start the program Taskmgr.exe, which is located in the %systemroot%\System32 folder by default.
• Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.

   System Policy Entries

   DisableTaskManager   REG_DWORD
   Range:   0 or 1
   Default: 0
   If the value of this entry is 1, Task Manager will not run. Instead,
   a message appears explaining that Task Manager has been disabled by
   the network administrator. This value entry is supported by
   Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 2 and later.

CAUSE

This is a documentation error in the Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit.

RESOLUTION

The correct spelling for this registry setting is DisableTaskMgr.

You can also use the System Policy Editor (Poledit.exe) to disable the usage of Task Manager. The System Policy Editor is included in Windows NT Server 4.0 and the Windows NT Workstation Resource Kit 4.0.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.