Microsoft released the KB5020044 update a few days ago for PCs running Windows 11, version 22H2. While this was an optional update and many users may have skipped it, it is causing problems for many users who have it installed on their PCs, Microsoft has confirmed.
Microsoft’s investigation reveals Affected users may see some elements of the Task Manager UI in unexpected colors. While Task Manager functionality is not affected, some parts of the UI may become unreadable due to color distortion. Fortunately, though, not everyone who has installed KB5020044 on their PC has been affected.
As described by Microsoft, “You may be affected by this issue if you have set to “Custom,” “Choose your mode” in the Personalization -> Colors section of Settings. Users using Dark or Light for the “Choose your mode” setting are not affected even after installing KB5020044. Microsoft has confirmed that it is working on a fix, which means that the problem is likely to be resolved in an upcoming update.
Although affected users will have to wait a few days before Microsoft releases a fix, a temporary fix is available for everyone affected. Microsoft recommends that users “set your mode selection to either Dark or Light” until this issue is resolved. Here’s how you can do it: Just right click or long press on the desktop, select “Personalize”, select “Colors” and then for “Choose your mode” select either “Dark” or “Light”.
While Microsoft’s monthly updates are important for your PC, you need to be cautious when installing them, as Windows updates are notorious for breaking something after installation is complete. For example, Microsoft recently broke the Remote Desktop application in PCs running Windows 11, version 22H2, and a fix has yet to be delivered.
If you have installed Windows 11 KB502004 on your PC, are you affected by Task Manager bug? Plus, what’s your worst Windows Update experience since the introduction of Windows 11? Let us know in the comments section.