Windows – “Access denied” when trying to end a process on Windows 8

killprocesswindows 8

I get "Access denied" when trying to end a process on Windows 8.

From Kill process (windows 8) issues on Stack Overflow, I've read:

The process may have a thread active in kernel mode that is not exiting. Best way to diagnose that is by using Task Manager, Details tab, right-click one of the column headers and choose "Select Columns". Tick "Handles". Look at the displayed value for the process. If you see a non-zero value then the process is very likely to have a handle opened and is waiting for a device driver to perform an I/O request. And that device driver is otherwise impervious to Windows asking it to cancel the request. Narrowing down the troublemaker is not that easy, you have to know more about exactly what kind of I/O requests your process performs. Follow up on this by asking a question about it at superuser.com*

So yeah… this problem has accured to the following programs:

  • Spotify
  • Skype
  • Battlefield 3

I've checked that I have full permission on everything. Even added "Everyone" with full access.

The other solution involved something with C++ which I have no clue about.

I have tried asking support on Microsoft sites but they only told me to go to Security and add everyone with full access.

Best Answer

The shortest way:

Use Sysinternals' PsExec tool to get SYSTEM user privileges (download it here).
Then run command line as administrator and write:

psexec -s taskkill /im ExeNameToKill.exe /f

The longest way:

Use this method to get SYSTEM user privileges.
Then use taskkill /im ExeNameToKill.exe /f to end those processes.

Note: Be careful while working with SYSTEM privilege. It's easy to damage the OS if you play with it.

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