How To Stop Processes in XP / Vista

This guide will detail how to stop a computer process in XP or Vista. It is essential sometimes to stop a task so that the file can be deleted. This is generally done when the file is a virus. Without stopping the process, the file can’t be deleted since the file is in use.

Caution: Stopping processes can cause damage to your computer if done improperly. Please use caution. It is recommended that you don’t stop any system tasks.

Step 1: Open the task manager. This can be done by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del on your keyboard and clicking Task Manager or right clicking on the task bar and clicking on Task Manager

step 1

Step 2. Choose the task which you want to end and click End Process

step 2

Step 3: You will get a warning message. Please use your discretion whether the task needs to be stopped. If it is a virus, then generally it needs to be stopped.

step 3

If task manager has been blocked by a virus, try using Process Explorer. Viruses may modify the registry to block the user from using task manager; therefore, use Process Explorer if this has occurred.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post below.

Posted in: How-To Guides

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 2:44 pm and is filed under How-To Guides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

155 Responses to “How To Stop Processes in XP / Vista”

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RICHARD December 16th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

Thanks for the Guide to remove (scan*proantispyware-scanner* com/225/3/)fake scanner, with task manager. It worked, I would say!

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Jez January 6th, 2009 at 12:28 am

thank u guys. got rid of the anoying spyware!

Kim January 22nd, 2009 at 9:41 pm

How can I tell which Processes I should stop?

sandy January 28th, 2009 at 9:47 am

hi there,
plz advice. on following the steps on this site i have opened the task manager process and the only prog which seems suspicious to me is rundll32.exe and winlogon.exe but am not sure and dont want to mess up things further in my laptop by ending some usefull process. i want toget rid of this antivirus360 and not much tech. so plz help. as far i can open the system but this pop up keeps coming to buy this 360 n blocks webpage. plz help

erfan February 10th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

hello there
plz help me i cant find that thingy in task manager.plz help me for gods sake. :’(

futcha February 13th, 2009 at 8:14 am

Ahhh
i have that virus and i think i have deleted it
not sure
but i cant open the task manager
it has been disabled in ctrl alt delete
and right clicking the taskbar
plz help

futcha February 13th, 2009 at 8:19 am

wait sorry, i didnt read the other thing and its working now
thanks anyways

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AIANA March 1st, 2009 at 8:37 pm

I am trying to uninstall the entire Antiviru360 system from my computer but it will not let me proceed. How can I do it?

dennis March 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 pm

same problem from aiana,im trying uninstall Antivirus360 from my computer,How can i do it?

Dave Maguire March 5th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

I am in a remote area and use a MTNF@stlinkHSDPAModem similar to a cell phone connection. I am unable to stay on the net, sometimes more than a few seconds before I am cut off. It seems as if Sxolpe.exe is doing this because when I end the task in task manager it works for a while but it keeps coming back. I keep the prefetch file open and can see when it re-appears and keep removing it manually. How can I prevent this irritating file from returning and frustrating me?

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David March 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

This site has been really helpful. I was not able to remove Antivirus 360 from my laptop. It was really annoying and could turn off my laptop anytime. But now through the steps that they have showed me, my laptop is now free! Thanks to all who work to help others

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aman June 4th, 2009 at 2:12 am

system security 2009 is not allowing me to open my task manager or install any other antivirus program

Tanya June 11th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

I tried opening Task Manager & this virus keeps closing task manager & doesn’t give me the option to right-click. Please help!!

K.J. June 26th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

I tried opening task manager and it’s not letting me open it is there another way to get it up.

FElipe July 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm

ESTOU COM ESSE VIRUS SYSTEM SECURITY E NAO SEI COMO REMOVER ME AJUDEM POR FAVOR PRESISO REMOVER HOJE

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dean July 19th, 2009 at 1:54 am

my computer is infected with a virus pretending to be virus scanning software by the name of system security i tried to follow these directions but this virus keep me from open almost all of my files and it doesn’t let open the taskmanager. it says they are infected.

Jay July 25th, 2009 at 3:14 pm

how do I know which one is this virus? There are alot of things in there not sure which one it is?

it started out not letting me open anything really….then went on vacation had the computer off for a week and then I plugged it back in today and I can’t see that supposed program…system security (virus)……

first thing I tried to do was system restore but when I clicked on that it would only bring it up for a second so that i could not click on it….now it allows me to bring it up and even click on it but it will not perform it??? help me please…..I am using my other computer which is a MAC…..but for some reason it will not allow me to check my emails…..just had the hard drive replaced…so having much difficulty here…..no phone access….using magic jack which I can not getting going since this happened……and cannot check emails either….no communications here driving me crazy!!!

Ruby July 28th, 2009 at 9:41 am

Tôi không biết đã cài phàn mềm hoàn hảo defender 2009, nên máy đã bị nhiễm virus,và toàn bộ các five excel không mở đựoc ra nữa ,và microsoft office cung không thể khởi động được.
Mong đựoc hướng dẫn cách khắc phục.

Sherri August 6th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

My son has downloaded the Security Systems 2009 virus. I can’t get rid of it. Or even open your free removal program. I need help. Please help me.

aditya August 7th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Like Sherri, i seem to be facing a similar problem. Neither the download remover tool nor task manager open at all. Please Help, i am desperate

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dora September 3rd, 2009 at 9:07 pm

muy buena tu solucion si funciono…. gracias

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Linda Dove September 14th, 2009 at 6:01 pm

what happened to remove personal antivirus free download that was available for XP/Vista earlier today.

jessica September 16th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

i need help!!!!!!!!!!! i cannot open my task manager i tried the copy and paste thing into a word document to open it and it works for like 2 seconds right when i turn the computer on but i cant find anything to delete i have WINDOWS POLICE PRO and ANTIVIRUS PRO 2010 I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Farid Ishak September 24th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

I think I got a solution to stop the virus first from running. So you can remove it in peace.
If you click on my computer it freezes but
with me below works.
press windows button + E
then go to — c:\documents and settings\All users\application data
look for folder with random numbers
go into it.

you’ll see an .exe file with the virus logo on it.
you won’t be able to delete it. Buuut you will be able to change the .exe to .txt.

when you done that, restart your computer and voila you are able to remove it in peace,…

This worked for me, hope this works for you to.

Greetings, Farid Ishak

Catherine Brauns September 28th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

I have tried your options and I have installed Internet Explorer 8, and AlphaAV seemed to go away but now it is trying to access Google Chrome. I also get messages to that the site I am accessing is harmful.
I am frustrated that I cannot access Internet Explorer without it being a blocked site according to the computer.
Please advise before I throw all of it in the bin.
Cheers

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david October 20th, 2009 at 12:38 pm

Dobrý den,

můj notebook byl napaden virem cyber protection center. Teda vykazuje to všechny příznaky (vyskakovací okna atd) Můj problém je v tom, že nemůžu najít registry či soubory, které by se měly vymazat, prostě tam nejsou. Je možné, že existuje už nějaká lepší mutace tohoto viru a jmenují se jinak. Díky za odpověď. S pozdravem David

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nanci November 23rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Hallo, Ik heb alpha antivirus op mijn pc staan . Hoe kan ik dit antivirus verwijderen?

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Carl Kennedy January 19th, 2010 at 7:49 am

These solutions aren’t working for me. IS2010 prevents me from accessing the Internet, prevents me from opening Task Manager and none of the spy ware can rid me of it…got anything else???

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