Help needed on next step to fix TaskMgr crashes

akfocus · 21 Dec 2023

I am running Win10 22H2 19045.3803. I am unable to use TaskMgr. It opens briefly with no content and closes.

I can't do a clean boot because TaskMgr is needed for that, but is nonfunctional. Using AutoRuns, I have unchecked all my startup files, but that does not help. However, in safe-mode TaskMgr runs OK, including with running all the programs I normally have active.

Back in a regular bootup, after trying to run TaskMgr I get the error information below from EventViewer. The conflict is with NTDLL.DLL (but I suspect some other program is likely involved in the conflict). Testing that file in System32 and WOW6432 with my Eset antivirus, the file tests OK.

I also have run DISM (three different commands in sequence, can't find my notes on which) followed by SFC /Scannow, although maybe there are other DISM commands I should try (advice?).

The two sequential EventViewer results, first followed by second:

- System
- Provider
[ Name] Application Error
- EventID 1000
[ Qualifiers] 0
Version 0
Level 2
Task 100
Opcode 0
Keywords 0x80000000000000
- TimeCreated
[ SystemTime] 2023-12-21T21:29:50.8881630Z
EventRecordID 32781
Correlation
- Execution
[ ProcessID] 0
[ ThreadID] 0
Channel Application
Computer L-560-2
Security
- EventData
Taskmgr.exe
10.0.19041.3636
567c0075
ntdll.dll
10.0.19041.3636
9b64aa6f
c0000409
000000000008c80f
18e8
01da3454d2a2f775
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Taskmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
b69f9726-26af-4a9c-b818-b53bc89c723a

WINDOWS ERROR REPORTING
- System
- Provider
[ Name] Windows Error Reporting
- EventID 1001
[ Qualifiers] 0
Version 0
Level 4
Task 0
Opcode 0
Keywords 0x80000000000000
- TimeCreated
[ SystemTime] 2023-12-21T21:29:54.4107317Z
EventRecordID 32782
Correlation
- Execution
[ ProcessID] 0
[ ThreadID] 0
Channel Application
Computer L-560-2
Security
- EventData
2024252350136957730
5
BEX64
Not available
0
Taskmgr.exe
10.0.19041.3636
567c0075
ntdll.dll
10.0.19041.3636
9b64aa6f
000000000008c80f
c0000409
000000000000000a

\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER56AF.tmp.mdmp \\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER5A5A.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml \\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER5AF7.tmp.xml \\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER5BEF.tmp.csv \\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER5CEA.tmp.txt
\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_Taskmgr.exe_141977d332f73efba26ff3e3 1f7b3c21bce39a_c24d6455_dd8fe5e0-a962-40a5-bbc2-358cd30eca78

0
b69f9726-26af-4a9c-b818-b53bc89c723a
268435456
769cc1984018aa705c1796c999a9bb22
0

### End of Results ###

I think I am getting close to a fix, but don't know what else to try. Can you help?

Ghot · 21 Dec 2023

@akfocus

Actually, Microsoft can help...

An In-Place Upgrade "compares" what is installed on the computer, with the Windows ISO image.
Then, it overwrites any corrupted Windows files, with clean copies from the ISO image.
This is how it "repairs" Windows while allowing you to keep your programs and personal files.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade <---- tutorial link

Here is the short version of the In-place upgrade tutorial...

DISABLE non-Microsoft:
a) antivirus software
b) firewall software
c) drive encryption software

Make a full OS backup with a program like Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper Standard
Making a backup is optional, but always a smart move.
If you had a backup from before this problem occurred, you wouldn't be reading this.

Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect for Home Use
Free Backup Software for Windows | AOMEI Backupper Standard (free)

Go here and get the Media Creation Tool and save it to your desktop.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

RUN the Media Creation Tool and use it to: Create an ISO image... save IT to your desktop.
This will be the latest version of the ISO image.
The ISO must be created in the same language as you are using in Windows, to be able to keep your Programs and Files.

Right click the ISO image and choose: MOUNT
Open File Explorer and you will see a new drive letter. It will "look" like a DVD optical drive.
Double click the new drive letter to open it.
Find setup.exe and double click it to start the in-place upgrade.

Choose the Keep personal files and apps option.

After it's all done... to UNmount the ISO image, right click the new drive letter and choose: EJECT.

The ONLY thing you will lose is some of your personalizations.
Your drivers, programs and data will be intact.

akfocus · 21 Dec 2023

Thanks. I will give it a go over the weekend. Sounds promising!

dalchina · 22 Dec 2023

Before you do that, there's one check you should do.

Create a new user for test purposes which you can delete afterwards. Log in to that user.
then it's unlikely to help.

If the task manager then works, the problem lies with your original user profile, and an in-place upgrade repair install is very

If you see the same problem, then it's likely it will.

This is a standard sequence which you might see numerous times in tenforums.

==============
One other possibility- if this has only just started happening (most posters don't give the history) then you could simply try using a System Restore point created before this started.

akfocus · 22 Dec 2023

That's good additional guidance. Thanks!