The optional October 2025 update may cause multiple instances of Task Manager to run in the background. If you’re a Windows 11 user who frequently uses the Task Manager tool, you might want to avoid the latest update to Microsoft’s operating system. Users on Reddit are reporting that a bug in the optional Windows 11 update KB5067036 is causing Task Manager to double up when they try to close the app, affecting PC performance.
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This bug breaks the functionality of the “X” button to exit Task Manager, preventing the application from closing and keeping it running in the background. Repeated attempts to open and close the application lead to multiple instances that can consume CPU and RAM resources.
According to the KB5067036 changelog, the update includes a fix for Task Manager that resolves an issue with some apps not being grouped with their processes, but it doesn’t mention any other changes to Task Manager. Microsoft hasn’t acknowledged this new bug yet, and the KB5067036 update log still states that the company “is not currently aware of any issues with this update.”
Fortunately, Windows Latest and Reddit user BNSoul have found a temporary solution. Individual instances of Task Manager can be closed by selecting the “End task” button in the app instead of clicking the “X” button, or users can run the command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f in the Windows 11 Command Prompt to close all instances of Task Manager at once.
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This error can be particularly annoying for users who rely on Task Manager to monitor system performance and manage their applications. The resource consumption by multiple instances of Task Manager can lead to system slowdowns, which is undesirable for users who demand high performance from their computers.
Microsoft is usually quick to respond to these kinds of issues, but the lack of official acknowledgement of the bug so far may be concerning for some users. It's important for the company to provide quick fixes to ensure that Windows 11 users don't encounter issues that can impact their daily work.
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In the meantime, users who have already installed the update and are experiencing the issue can use the above solutions to manage the issue until an official fix is released from Microsoft. It is also a good idea to monitor updates from Microsoft and regularly check for new versions that may resolve the issue.
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