Microsoft has released a non-security update for Windows 11 builds 24H2 and 25H2 that introduces a bug affecting Task Manager. The update, codenamed KB5067036, causes Task Manager to continue running in the background even after users close the app. This issue has been officially acknowledged by Microsoft as a known issue in the latest optional update.
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Update KB5067036 is part of Microsoft's regular maintenance releases, designed to improve the functionality, performance, and reliability of Windows 11 systems. This particular update falls under the category of optional non-security previews, which are typically released during the fourth week of each month. These updates allow users to receive new features and improvements before the mandatory security updates that are released on the second Tuesday of each month, known as Patch Tuesday.
The update includes several improvements to AI components for Copilot Plus PC, with enhanced versions of Image Search, Content Extraction, Semantic Analysis , and Settings Model. It also includes a servicing stack update, KB5067035, which ensures that devices can properly receive and install future Windows updates. The servicing stack is a critical component that maintains the reliability and stability of the Windows update system.
According to Microsoft's official documentation, Task Manager may continue to run in the background after users attempt to close the application. This behavior disrupts normal operation, where closing Task Manager should completely terminate the process. The issue affects both Windows 11 build 24H2 and the newer build 25H2, indicating that the problem extends across many current versions of Windows.
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Task Manager is a critical system tool that allows users to monitor running applications, monitor system performance, manage startup programs, and terminate unresponsive processes. Leaving it running in the background could potentially consume system resources unnecessarily and cause confusion for users who expect the application to close completely when it is dismissed.
KB5067036 is available through Windows Update as an optional download. Users can obtain it by going to Start, then Settings, followed by Update & Security , and finally Windows Update . The update appears under Available Optional Updates, where users can choose to download and install it. For users who install the update and experience issues, Microsoft has provided removal instructions. However, there is one important limitation: while the cumulative update can be removed using the DISM command-line tool with the Remove-Package option, the servicing stack update cannot be removed once it is installed. Users cannot use the Windows Update Standalone Installer with the uninstall switch in the bundled package, as this method will not work for packages that include servicing stack updates.
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Microsoft continues to monitor feedback and typically addresses known issues in subsequent updates. Users experiencing the Task Manager issue may want to wait for a fix before installing this optional update.
