orphaned processes

About this tag
Orphaned processes in Windows 11 refer to taskmgr.exe instances that remain running after the Task Manager window is closed, a bug introduced by the optional preview update KB5067036 released on October 28, 2025. Users report that closing Task Manager via the window's X button sometimes fails to terminate the process, and each subsequent reopen spawns an additional orphaned taskmgr.exe. These orphaned processes accumulate over time, quietly consuming memory and occasional CPU resources until manually killed. The issue has been reproduced across community tests and confirmed by independent reporting. This regression affects Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 servicing branches and is a key topic for users troubleshooting resource leaks or unexpected background processes after installing the preview update.

  1. Windows 11 Task Manager Duplicates After Close in KB5067036 Preview

    Windows 11 users on recent preview builds are reporting a strange and persistent regression: closing Task Manager with the window “X” sometimes does not terminate taskmgr.exe, and each reopen can spawn another live Task Manager process — producing dozens of background taskmgr.exe instances that...
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    • fix insider preview kb5067036 microsoft patch orphaned processes patch servicing orchestration servicing stack update start menu task manager update and shut down windows 11 windows update
    • Replies: 9
    • Forum: Windows News

  2. Windows 11 KB5067036 Task Manager Bug Creates Orphaned Processes

    Windows 11’s optional October preview (KB5067036) has introduced a strange regression that can turn the very tool meant to tame runaway processes into a quiet resource sink: closing Task Manager with the window’s Close (X) control sometimes does not terminate taskmgr.exe, and repeated open/close...

  3. Windows 11 KB5067036 Preview: Administrator Protection and Color Battery Icons

    Microsoft’s optional preview update KB5067036 lands in the Release Preview channel with two of the most visible changes Windows users have asked for in years — a new just‑in‑time Administrator Protection model that binds elevation to user verification, and color‑coded battery icons that make...
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    • administrator protection all apps view battery icon imaging kb5067036 kb5067036 preview media creation tool optional updates orphaned processes phone link preview process leak software update start menu system performance task manager task manager bug windows 11
    • Replies: 12
    • Forum: Windows News

  4. Windows 11 Preview KB5067036 Task Manager Bug Creates Orphaned taskmgr.exe Instances

    A baffling regression in Microsoft’s optional October 28, 2025 Windows 11 preview (KB5067036) can leave Task Manager processes running after the window is closed, allowing multiple invisible copies of taskmgr.exe to accumulate and quietly consume memory and CPU — a problem reproduced across...
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    • kb5067036 orphaned processes preview start menu task manager troubleshooting ui redesign user experience vivetool windows 11
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Windows News