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Is Task Manager Acting Strange? Here’s the Essential Fix for a Problematic Windows 11 Bug.
A recent optional update for Windows 11, identified as KB5067036, has introduced a significant problem for some users. The bug affects the Task Manager. When you close the Task Manager window using the ‘X’ button, the application does not actually shut down. Instead, it continues running in the background as a hidden process. Each time you open and close Task Manager again, a new duplicate process is created, which can silently consume your computer’s resources.
How This Bug Affects Your Computer
This issue can seriously impact your PC’s performance. Every hidden Task Manager process uses a portion of your system’s memory (RAM). If you open and close Task Manager frequently, these hidden copies add up. For example, creating 100 hidden copies could consume over 2 gigabytes of RAM. On computers with limited memory, this can lead to noticeable slowdowns, sluggishness, and poor performance while you work or play.
How to Check for the Task Manager Bug
You can easily check if your computer is affected by this bug. Follow these simple steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager.
- Click the ‘X‘ button in the top-right corner to close the window.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 a few times.
- Open Task Manager one last time and look at the list under the “Processes” tab. If you see multiple entries for “Task Manager,” your PC has this bug.
Simple Ways to Fix This Issue
If you discover your system has this bug, you should stop using the ‘X’ button to close Task Manager. Here are two effective ways to properly close the application and remove all hidden copies.
The Quick In-App Fix
While Task Manager is open, find “Task Manager” in its own list of processes. Right-click on it and select “End task.” This will force the application and all its hidden copies to close completely.
The Command-Line Fix
For a more direct approach, open the Command Prompt or Windows Terminal. Type the command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f and press Enter. This command immediately finds and terminates all running instances of Task Manager.
A Difficult Month for Windows 11 Updates
This Task Manager bug is the latest in a series of problems with Windows 11 updates during October 2025. Earlier in the month, an update broke connections to LocalHost, affecting web developers and certain applications. Shortly after, another update caused keyboards and mice to stop working within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), making it difficult to perform system repairs. These recent issues suggest a pattern of problematic updates, and users should remain cautious.