Killing a "Critical Process" In Windows (C/C++)

Question

What is the best way to kill a critical process?

Answer 1

It's critical for a reason so you probably shouldn't be killing it at all. The best way is to shut down the box lest you leave it in a dangerous state.

If you choose to ignore my warning, here is some sample C++ code to do it.

Answer 2

Invoking the kill function in signal.h is one way to killing a process in C. No idea about the alternations in C++.

Killing a Process in C

Edit : Have a look on this code.

WIN 32 API example

Answer 3

with a wrench

in the library

Answer 4

This knowledge base article describes how to do it. You first call SeDebugPrivilege() to obtain the privileges to terminate processes, then you call OpenProcess() with the PROCESS_TERMINATE flag to get a handle to the process you wish to terminate, and then finally you call TerminateProcess() to terminate the process.

Answer 5

Yup, do what Adam suggested. Then watch as your machine bluescreens since you just terminated a critical process :) (btw, to be clear: Adam's suggestion is 100% accurate, it's not my intent to criticize it at all).

Why do you want to do this? There's a reason they're called critical processes.