Windows Task Manager Won’t Close? A Guide to the Latest Windows 11 Bug
Have you recently closed the Windows Task Manager, only to feel like it’s still lingering in the background? If you’ve noticed this peculiar behavior, you’re not alone. A recent bug is causing the Task Manager application to remain active as a background process even after its window has been closed, affecting a growing number of Windows 11 users.
This issue can be confusing, but it’s a known problem directly linked to a recent Windows update. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what you can do about it.
The Root of the Problem: A Recent Windows Update
The source of this annoyance has been traced back to a specific cumulative update for Windows 11. The bug primarily affects users on Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2 who have installed the latest optional updates.
When the bug is active, here’s the typical sequence of events:
- You open Task Manager (using Ctrl+Shift+Esc or another method).
- You use it to monitor processes or end a task.
- You close the Task Manager window by clicking the “X” button.
Normally, this would completely terminate the Taskmgr.exe process. However, due to this bug, the application window closes, but the process continues to run silently in the background. If you try to reopen Task Manager, it may simply bring the existing, hidden process to the foreground instead of launching a new instance.
Is This Bug Harmful to Your PC?
Fortunately, the impact of this bug is minimal and is more of an inconvenience than a serious threat to your system’s performance or security. The lingering Taskmgr.exe process consumes a negligible amount of CPU and memory, so it is highly unlikely to slow down your computer.
The main issue is the unexpected behavior and the potential for confusion. Users who rely on Task Manager to ensure applications have fully closed may be misled by this bug.
Microsoft’s Official Fix is on the Way
The good news is that Microsoft has officially acknowledged the issue and is already deploying a fix. The solution is being pushed out using a technology called Known Issue Rollback (KIR).
KIR is a powerful feature that allows Microsoft to correct specific, non-security-related bugs without requiring users to install a full system update. For most home users and non-managed business devices, this fix will be applied automatically. The rollout can take up to 24-48 hours to reach all affected devices, and a simple restart of your computer can often help speed up the application of the fix.
For enterprise-managed devices, system administrators may need to install and configure a specific Group Policy to resolve the issue across their network.
Actionable Steps You Can Take Right Now
While the automatic fix is the best long-term solution, you have a couple of options if the issue is currently affecting your workflow.
- Be Patient and Restart: The most straightforward approach is to wait for the Known Issue Rollback to take effect. Restarting your PC can sometimes trigger the update and resolve the problem without any further action.
- Manually Terminate the Process: If the lingering process is bothering you, you can force it to close. Since you can’t use Task Manager to close itself, you’ll need to use the Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Open the Start Menu and type “Command Prompt” or “PowerShell.”
- Right-click the application and select “Run as administrator.”
- In the terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
taskkill /f /im taskmgr.exe - This command will forcefully terminate all running instances of the Task Manager process.
While this bug originated from an update, it’s a reminder that keeping your system updated is still the best security practice. Future cumulative updates will include a permanent fix for this issue, alongside critical security patches that protect your system from other threats.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-windows-task-manager-wont-quit-after-kb5067036-update/
