Ending a running process on Windows 10 can be easily done using the Task Manager. Sometimes though, you will not be able to do this due to some error. One error that you might encounter is unable to terminate process access is denied. This can happen when trying to end any app running in your computer. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will show you how to fix this problem.
How To Fix Unable To Terminate Process Access Is Denied Issue
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from a bug in the update or a corrupted file. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Use command prompt to terminate the process
If using the task manager does not end the process then you can try to use the command prompt.
- Type command prompt in the Start Search box
- Right click Command Prompt from the search results and select Run as administrator
- Type taskkill /im process-name /f and press Enter. You can get the process name by right clicking the process you want to kill (from the Task Manager) and selecting Details. This will open the Details tab with your process already selected. Simply look at the name of the process and type it in the process-name. Example taskkill /im firefox.exe /f.
Check if the unable to terminate process access is denied issue still occurs.
Try reinstalling the application in Safe Mode
If the problem occurs when trying to end the task of a third party application then you can try to reinstall this in Safe Mode.
- Hold Windows key and press R
- Type msconfig and press Enter
- Select Boot tab
- Check the option Safe Boot in the Boot options section
- Select the option Minimal under the Safe Boot option
- Click OK
- Windows will ask you to restart. Click Restart
- Once the system restarts, you will be in the Safe Mode. Uninstall the problematic application. Hold Windows key and press R
- Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter
- Locate the application and select it
- Click Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions
- Now, reinstall the application by running its installer
- Once the application is installed, you need to turn off the Safe Mode option.
- Hold Windows key and press R
- Type msconfig and press Enter
- Select Boot tab
- Uncheck the option Safe Boot in the Boot options section
- Click OK
- Windows will ask you to restart. Click Restart
Check if the unable to terminate process access is denied issue still occurs.
Use WMIC to terminate the process
The Windows Management Instrumentation Console can be used to terminate the process.
- Type Command Prompt in the Start Search box
- Right click Command Prompt from the search results and select Run as Administrator
- Type wmic process where name=’myprocessname.exe’ delete and press Enter. You can get the process name by right clicking the process you want to kill (from the Task Manager) and selecting Details. This will open the Details tab with your process already selected. Example wmic process where name=’firefox.exe’ delete
Check if the unable to terminate process access is denied issue still occurs.