taskmgr, regedit and other functions not running: error: the parameter

Thyan · 07 Mar 2019

Hello everyone!
Two days ago I noticed something very strange with my computer: I tried to open Task Manager (right click on the task bar) and I got an error: The parameter is incorrect. I get the same error when trying to open it from C:\Windows\System32.
Someone suggested that I should modify the registry, so I tried to open regedit, but got the same error.
When I tried to run sfc/scannow (Windows+R), it showed me a black window for about a tenth of a second and nothing else happened.
I read some posts on the internet and found out that I could fix my problem by running a DISM command. but the DISM.exe would not open either

.
When I click on the Start button (or press Windows key) nothing happens.
I tried fixing it using a Windows 10 USB drive, managed to run the sfc scan from it, but detected no problems.
None of these .exe files work in safe mode either.
Sometimes Chrome cannot access any other website but google (I can do searches, but no other site is accessible). There are some programs that run without problem, but some other would not.
Is there any way I can fix this, without reinstalling Win10?
Thanks.

JCMacintosh · 07 Mar 2019

Hi Thyan
You can try to repair system files of Windows by use the "program-image-health".
It uses windows "Dism" commands to "fix" your system, it is simple to use ...

Download the image-health_17.01.05.7z file (Thank to Kyhi) ...

Once in your PC, unzip it by clicking 2 times on it and then extract it where you want (on the desktop, it's easier to find later), it will create a folder "image-health_17.01.05"...

(If you are having trouble decompressing the file, you will find 7zip totally free for almost all the compressed files in Windows.)

Open the folder creates and launch "ImageHealth.cmd", accept by "Yes" to "Admin access" then Choose the 3 options for the minimal, more if you want.
1) Option 1, wait the end (while take some times

)
2) Option 2, wait until the end...
3) Option 5, wait until the end...
4) Restart your computer.

You can use the same program for SFC then choosing the Option 7.

A+
Jean-Claude

Ztruker · 07 Mar 2019

Unlikely to work if DISM won't work from a Command Prompt, but worth a try.

Sounds like a Repair Install is the next thing to try: Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

JCMacintosh · 08 Mar 2019

Hi Ztruker
Off course !! DISM work with a Command Prompt. The best reason to use the image-health of Kyhi.
A+
Jean-Claude

Thyan · 08 Mar 2019

Well, DISM is not running (just a black window for a split second, and then nothing) and the In-place upgrade did not work either (tried it with a USB flash drive): I got the same error window: D:\setup.exe the parameter is incorrect

.
I also tried to copy the exe files for taskmgr, regedit and DISM from another computer, but I still get that error. Either something was erased from my Win10 (by a malicious attack), or some running process is preventing Windows from running .exe files (which I cannot stop, since taskmgr would not run). Thanks for your suggestions, but so far I can do none of the things you suggested.

dalchina · 08 Mar 2019

1. Suggest you check your disk. As you presumably can't install programs, try a portable version of HD Tune which you can run from a flash drive.

Download Portable HD Tune 2.55

Health and Error Scan tabs
Please post the result.
To post a screenshot, please use the Insert Image icon above your post.

2. Have you discovered the value of disk imaging, so often recommended here - e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) - if you have a recent disk image of Windows you can restore that.

Using disk imaging
- lets you recover from many problems without technical help
- lets you recover even if your disk fails or is unbootable
- gives you a full backup

3.

In-place upgrade did not work either (tried it with a USB flash drive): I got the same error window: D:\setup.exe the parameter is incorrect

.

Presumably your flash drive was a bootable Win 10 installation medium.

Note that an in-place upgrade repair install requires an iso or bootable disk of the same base build and language as your installed Windows. Please confirm that is true.

4. What is your Windows build?
Windows key + r, winver

Thyan · 09 Mar 2019

@dalchina
1. I get the same error: The parameter is incorrect
2. No... I never used disk imaging.
3. Yes, the flash drive I used is the same I installed the Win10 from, 2 years ago

.
4. Win10 Enterprise, version 1709, build 16299.904.

I guess there's not much I can do... It seems that most (I haven't tried them all) programs work, except for those that are OS-related. I also can't uninstall any program or app. Since the start button won't work, I can't access apps from windows store (I don't know any other way of accessing them

). I guess I will have to reinstall Windows. But I don't have time for that anytime soon, that's why I asked you guys for help

.

JCMacintosh · 09 Mar 2019

Hi Thyan
Try to launch image-health with the right button, use Admin launch !
A+
Jean-Claude

dalchina · 09 Mar 2019

Yes, the flash drive I used is the same I installed the Win10 from, 2 years ago

Are you saying that you installed Win 10 2 years ago, and never had a feature update (upgrade)? That's the only way you'd be able to use an old disk for it to be compatible.

If you never had a feature update, then I'd ask 'why?' - Have you blocked updates for up to 2 years?

To do an in-place upgrade repair install, as your current build is 1709, you need a 1709 iso or bootable disk. Using an older build won't work.

** Please see my previous post about testing your disk and post the result. Thanks.

Thyan · 09 Mar 2019

well, I did updated windows every time it asked for it

. I mean, I always updated windows when the notification "You need some updates" showed up. Last update took place just before I posted here for the first time, that is, after I begun having the problems described in my first post.
I don't really know much about versions and builds, so that's why I asked for help

. Anyway, thing is that no .exe file works, so I think it would not matter whether I have the latest .iso or not. As for the disk check, that doesn't work either. I guess I'm almost hopeless :))).