Microsoft released update KB5020044 a few days ago for PCs running Windows 11, version 22H2. Although this is an optional update and many users may have overlooked it, it is causing problems for many users who have it installed on their PCs, Microsoft has confirmed.
Microsoft’s investigation shows that affected users may see some Task Manager UI elements in unexpected colors. Although Task Manager functionality has not been affected, some parts of the user interface may not be readable due to color distortion. Fortunately, however, not everyone who installed KB5020044 on their PC was affected.
As described by Microsoft, “You may be affected by this issue if you have ‘Choose your mode’ set to ‘Custom’, in the Personalization -> Colors section of the settings.” Those who use 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 the issue will likely be fixed in future updates.
While 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 “change the ‘Choose your mode’ setting to 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”, then select “Dark” or “Light” for “Choose your mode”.
Although Microsoft’s monthly updates are crucial for your PCs, you need to be careful while installing them because Windows updates are known to break something once their installations are complete. For example, Microsoft recently broke the Remote Desktop app on PCs running Windows 11, version 22H2, and a fix has yet to ship.
If you have installed Windows 11 KB502004 on your PC, are you affected by the Task Manager bug? Also, what’s your worst Windows update experience since Windows 11 debuted? Let us know in the “Comments” section.
