Windows 10: Cannot run any programs in admin mode and cannot open task manager

Hi.
I have a PC with Windows 10 Enterprise 64bit installed. (Ver. 10.0.17134)


Ever since a forceful shutdown due to a freeze, I have been experiencing the following issues:

• Any program that I try to run on admin mode gives the error:"Windows cannot find 'C:\Folder\Folder\File.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, then try again". For example, if I try to run Command Prompt as an admin, I get the error "Windows cannot find 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly then try again'. This happens with every program.
• Trying to open the task manager gives the same error: "Windows cannot find 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe'
• Startup takes much longer than normal
• I've had an error in which if I try to copy a large ammount of files to another HDD, Windows will say it completed the transfer, but no files actually get transfered

I am the only user of this PC, and my account is an admin account. I use Malwarebytes as an antivirus.


Thank you in advance.


EDIT: Also, on my notification panel there's a notification asking me to "scan drive for errors", which when clicked takes me to Control Panel\System and Security\Security and Maintenance, where there's a button which says "Run Scan" with an administrator logo on the side. It does nothing when clicked.


EDIT2: I also have tried performing a system restore, but after >30min it says there's been an error, and no files were changed. Same thing when trying to do a System Image Recovery.
I have also tried running chkdsk, but it requires admin permission, which I cannot open cmd with.

I've been meaning to backup my files and reinstall windows, but the aforementioned error when copying files has prevented me from doing so.
I've tried running linux from a usb drive to backup my files to an external HDD, but linux behaved erratically when trying to copy files from the Windows drive.

:)

 

Open a running program

Hi,

Which program are you referring to?

If Windows states that the program but can't see it, then I would suggest you check in the task manager if the program is running in the background. Right click on the start menu and select "Task manager" and check if the process is listed in the processes
that are running currently. If yes, right click on the program and click on "End task" to end the process completely. Now restart the PC and try launching the program. If the issue persists, get back to us with the name of the application that you are trying
to use so that we can check suggest accordingly.

 

Win 10 Task Manager now only works in Admin mode


Hi All, I've had my Win 10 laptop for about a year and I keep it up to date. Now all of a sudden the Task Manager only works in Admin mode. I always run in Standard mode and now I have to right click on Task Manager and hit Run As Admin. Otherwise it opens but doesn't run and display live data.

Any ideas why this changed? Thanks,

 

running programs in task manager

We've had lots of problems since the Windows 10 upgrade. Reinstalled W10 and still the start menu disappeared after 2 weeks. Then upgrading to the anniversary version restored missing start menu, but I'm not holding breath on that one. I've now arranged
shortcuts to make my own start menu right on the desktop just in case. However, these are the current problems:

• Task manager won't run programs. If I type in a program to run, all I get is a message saying "Windows does not recognize (name of program)" It does this for everything.
• Photoshop Version 7 will not open since anniversary upgrade. (Click on icon -in start menu, on shortcut, on task bar, in task manager...anywhere-and zero happens) & folders looks empty if viewed in task manager. It worked fine before the latest upgrade.
  However, if I go into the OS programs, the files are all still there. It's still in the start menu. I have tried everything including right clicking and running as administrator. Photoshop works fine on another old laptop with previous Windows 10 version installed
  from online upgrade.
• Photoshop won't even load onto son's brand new laptop which has the same Windows 10 version as old laptop.
• Ditto Photoshop Premier Elements 7.0
• Contact support app does not open-it just pops up and then disappears. I'd like to get rid of it but there is no uninstall.
• Cortana... oh, what can I say? Big waste of time and space? It does not work and I would like to get rid of it.