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Is a frustrating Windows 11 bug secretly slowing down your PC after the latest update?
A recent optional update for Windows 11, identified as KB5067036, contains a bug that can slow down your computer. Microsoft has confirmed this issue. The problem affects the Task Manager application on Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. Many users installed this update because it introduced popular new features, such as an improved Start menu.
The bug prevents the Task Manager from closing properly. When you click the “X” button to close the Task Manager window, the application does not shut down. Instead, it continues to run hidden in the background. If you open and close Task Manager multiple times without restarting your computer, several copies of the application will accumulate. Each hidden copy consumes system memory. Over time, the combined memory usage from these multiple instances can reduce your computer’s performance and cause other applications to run slower.
How to Check for the Bug
You can determine if your computer is affected by following these simple steps.
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to open Task Manager.
- Click the “X” in the corner to close the window.
- Repeat the first two steps two or three more times.
- Open Task Manager one final time. In the search bar, type “Task Manager” or look in the process list for taskmgr.exe.
If you see multiple instances of “Task Manager” listed, your device is affected by the bug.
How to Fix the Problem
Microsoft is investigating the issue and is expected to provide a permanent solution in a future update. In the meantime, you can use these workarounds to close the hidden Task Manager processes and restore your PC’s performance.
- Manually End the Process: In the Task Manager window, select each extra “Task Manager” process individually and click the “End Task” button. Repeat this for every duplicate instance.
- Use a Command: A faster method involves the Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt with administrator rights, then copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
taskkill.exe /im taskmgr.exe /f
This command instantly closes all running instances of Task Manager.