Windows Task Manager, a vital tool for monitoring running applications, services, and processes, is currently facing a perplexing bug that may lead to unintended memory usage. This issue emerged following Microsoft’s recent October preview update for Windows 11, which aimed to enhance the Start menu and address various bugs. However, it inadvertently introduced a glitch that causes Task Manager to proliferate instances each time it is closed and reopened.
Upon launching Task Manager, users can view all active applications and background processes, along with their respective CPU and memory consumption. Typically, closing Task Manager is as simple as clicking the X in the corner of the window. However, this is where the problem lies. Instead of terminating, Task Manager remains active in memory. Each subsequent opening results in yet another instance being created. As a result, users may find themselves with multiple instances running simultaneously, consuming additional memory and system resources.
For instance, after installing the KB5067036 preview update on a Windows 11 laptop, I observed that repeatedly opening and closing Task Manager led to the creation of over 20 instances. This was evident when I navigated to the Background Processes section, where numerous entries for Task Manager appeared.
What can you do if you’re affected?
If you find yourself impacted by this issue, the first step is to eliminate all instances of Task Manager to free up your system resources. You can do this manually by right-clicking on each instance and selecting “End task” from the context menu. Alternatively, for a more efficient approach, you can open a command prompt as an administrator. Simply type cmd in the Search field, select “Run as administrator,” and at the prompt, enter taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f. This command will terminate all instances, providing a swift resolution.
To prevent this glitch from occurring in the first place, it is advisable to avoid closing Task Manager by clicking the X. Instead, close it from within itself by right-clicking the Task Manager entry in the Background Processes section and selecting “End Task.” While most users may not frequently open and close Task Manager throughout their day, this bug could pose challenges for those troubleshooting specific applications or monitoring system performance. Until Microsoft releases a fix, users will need to exercise caution to manage Task Manager’s instances effectively.
