Replacing the Windows NT Task Manager

Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
Article ID: Q89373

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API) included with:
```
    - Microsoft Windows NT versions 3.1 and 3.5
```

SUMMARY

Under Windows 3.1, the Task Manager is an easily replaceable program. However, under the Win32 subsystem of Windows NT, it is very difficult to replace the Task Manager, due to special programming considerations. In general, it is not recommended that users attempt this.

MORE INFORMATION

Special requirements for the Task Manager make it very different from the Windows 3.1 Task Manager. The EndTask button handling is done through internal application programming interface (API) functions. These API functions are not documented. The situation is the same for handling foreground management, hung applications, and priority issues (to make sure that the Task Manager will come up as fast as possible). In addition, the Windows NT Task Manager uses shortcut ("hot") keys.

In Windows NT 3.1, the Task List has been incorporated into the Program Manager. To remove the Task List, you must also remove the Program Manager. The full functionality of the Task List (as found in TASKMAN.EXE) is now folded into the Program Manager (PROGMAN.EXE). If you completely delete the TASKMAN.EXE file from your system and from the registry location

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
      SOFTWARE\
      Microsoft\
      Windows NT\
      CurrentVersion\
      WinLogon\
      Shell

you will still be able to invoke the Task List because it is built into the Program Manager.

In Windows NT 3.5, Program Manager checks the registry for a Taskman entry. If the Taskman entry is found, Program Manager will launch the application, instead of using its built-in Taskman. The registry entry is:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
      SOFTWARE\
      Microsoft\
      Windows NT\
      CurrentVersion\
      Winlogon\
      Taskman

This entry does not not exist by default. You will have to create this value, with type REG_SZ.

Additional reference words: 3.10 3.50
KBCategory: kbprg
KBSubcategory: BseMisc

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Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
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