end task Archives

Winsage

November 1, 2025

Windows 11 Has a Buggy, Duplicating Task Manager That Hogs Resources

Microsoft's recent Windows 11 update KB5067036 has introduced a bug in the Task Manager, causing it to remain open and spawn new instances each time users attempt to close it. Each instance consumes between 20 to 95 MB of RAM and utilizes approximately 0.9% of CPU resources. Users can close multiple instances by clicking "End Task" or using the command line command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f to terminate all Task Manager processes at once. The root cause of the bug is unclear, as it involves a unique management system in the NT kernel that does not follow the traditional parent-child thread structure.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 11 users hit with bizarre Task Manager duplication bug to avoid it

Windows Task Manager is experiencing a bug that causes multiple instances to remain active in memory after it is closed, leading to unintended memory usage. This issue arose after the October preview update for Windows 11, which aimed to improve the Start menu and fix other bugs. Users reported that repeatedly opening and closing Task Manager resulted in the creation of numerous instances, consuming additional system resources. To resolve this, users can manually end each instance or use the command prompt with the command "taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f" to terminate all instances at once. It is recommended to close Task Manager from within itself rather than using the X button to prevent the issue.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

A bizarre Windows 11 bug duplicates Task Manager instead of closing it

The optional October 2025 update for Windows 11, known as KB5067036, introduces a bug that causes multiple instances of Task Manager to run simultaneously when users try to close it using the “X” button. This results in the application remaining active and leads to an accumulation of Task Manager instances, which can strain system resources. The change log for the update does not mention this issue, and Microsoft has not acknowledged it. A temporary workaround involves using the “End task” option within the app or executing the command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f in the Command Prompt to close all instances.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 11 Update Glitch Keeps Task Manager Running: Don’t Hit That ‘X’

The latest preview update for Windows 11 has introduced a glitch in Task Manager, preventing it from closing properly and resulting in multiple background instances that consume system resources. This issue arose after the October 2025 optional update (Build 26200.7019 / 26100.7019), causing Task Manager to remain active in the background and launch additional instances upon reopening. While not affecting every user, many have reported encountering this bug. Users are advised to avoid using the “X” button to close Task Manager and instead use alternative methods such as ending the task from within Task Manager, restarting Windows Explorer, or using Command Prompt or PowerShell to force-close Task Manager instances. Microsoft is expected to address this issue in a future update. Users may also consider uninstalling the October 2025 update if the problem significantly impacts performance.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Windows 11 KB5067036 issue: Task Manager won’t close and duplicates, may hurt performance

Windows 11 KB5067036 has a bug causing the Task Manager to duplicate itself every time it is closed, affecting about 30% of 100 tested virtual machines. The update, released on October 28, includes features like a refreshed Start menu and new battery icons, but also has issues with the Task Manager's close button, leading to multiple instances running in the background. Users can check for this bug by reopening Task Manager after closing it and observing the number of entries in the Processes tab. If affected, users are advised to use the End task option or the command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f to close all instances. Additionally, October 2025 has been problematic for Windows 11, with issues related to LocalHost connections and the Windows Recovery Environment, raising concerns about the stability of updates.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Latest Windows 11 update has a weird bug that could slow down your PC – here’s how to fix it

Windows 11's latest preview update has a bug affecting the Task Manager, causing it to fail to close properly and strain system resources. Users have reported installation failures, with some experiencing setbacks at the final stage despite a 100% completion status, and a few systems may become inoperable. Users have suggested potential solutions on Reddit, such as using 'End Task' within the application instead of clicking the 'X' to close it. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the issue, but a full release is expected in less than two weeks to resolve the bug.

Winsage

October 1, 2025

What Is Windows Runtime Broker? Here’s Why It’s Spiking Your CPU Usage

Windows security settings are designed to prevent unauthorized monitoring of user activities, with the Runtime Broker process verifying app permissions. It was introduced with Windows 8 and continues to function in Windows 11. Typically, Runtime Broker uses minimal system resources, but high usage may indicate app conflicts or bugs, potentially leading to performance issues. If Runtime Broker consumes excessive resources, users can close the process via Task Manager and restart their computer. If problems persist, they should check for app updates or uninstall the problematic app, as the Runtime Broker cannot be disabled or removed.

Winsage

September 1, 2025

How to Turn Off Copilot: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Windows, Microsoft 365, and Edge

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant integrated into Windows and Microsoft applications, designed to assist with tasks like text generation and document summarization. Users may want to disable it due to concerns about privacy, system performance, user control, and compliance in business environments. To disable Copilot in Windows: 1. Taskbar Settings: Right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, scroll to Taskbar items, and toggle Copilot to Off. 2. Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise): Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components, locate Copilot settings, double-click Turn off Copilot, select Enabled, and apply. 3. Registry Editor (Home Edition): Press Windows + R, type regedit, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows, create a new key named Copilot, add a DWORD value named TurnOffCopilot set to 1, and restart. 4. Firewall Blocking: Open Windows Security, navigate to Firewall & Network Protection, create a New Outbound Rule to block Copilot services. 5. Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, locate the Copilot process, right-click, and select End Task for a temporary solution. To disable Copilot in Microsoft 365 applications: - For Word, Excel, PowerPoint: Go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll to Copilot settings, and uncheck Enable Copilot. - For Outlook: Click File > Options > General, locate AI Features, and toggle Turn off Copilot. - For privacy settings: Open File > Account > Manage Settings and turn off Connected Experiences. To remove Copilot from Microsoft Edge: - Open Edge, navigate to Settings > Sidebar, toggle off Copilot, and disable additional AI features under Privacy & Services. To prevent Copilot from reinstalling after updates: - Pause updates in Windows Update, verify settings post-update, or use Group Policy or Intune for multiple devices. Disabling Copilot does not negatively impact system performance and can potentially improve speed by reducing memory and CPU usage. Businesses can enforce settings across multiple devices using Group Policy or Intune.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Microsoft is testing a new ‘Advanced Settings’ page in Windows

Microsoft is testing a revamped "Advanced Settings" page for its Windows Server operating system, which will replace the previous "For Developers" page. This new page aims to improve user accessibility by including features beneficial to a wider audience, such as the "End Task" option. It introduces a "long path" setting that removes the 260-character limitation on file paths, helping users avoid the "Path too long" error. The changes are currently exclusive to Windows Server but may extend to Windows 11 within the calendar year.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Do these five important things after installing Windows 11

- After setting up Windows 11, it is recommended to back up your BitLocker key to prevent access issues, as drives are encrypted by default without user notification. - To back up the BitLocker key, sign in to your Microsoft Account, navigate to the "Devices" tab, and manage recovery keys. - Context menus in Windows 11 can be cleaned up by uninstalling unnecessary applications or modifying the system registry to remove unwanted entries. - The "End Task" feature can be enabled by navigating to Settings > System > For developers and toggling on the feature. - To reduce notifications and ads, users can disable various settings in the Personalization and Privacy & Security sections of the Settings app. - OneDrive auto-backup is enabled by default, and users can disable it by accessing OneDrive settings and turning off backup options.