Is your Windows 11 Task Manager the wrong color? You’re not alone.
Microsoft confirmed an issue with the Windows 11 Task Manager that can cause the tool to appear the wrong color.
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What you need to know
Some Windows 11 users may run into an issue that causes the Task Manager to appear the wrong color, making text unreadable. The problem occurs after installing theKB5020044 updatethat was released in preview on November 29, 2022.
Earlier this week, Microsoft added a section toWindows 11, version 22H2 known issues and notifications pageabout the Task Manager issue. While the bug makes it impossible to read text, the Task Manager itself is functioning fine in the background.
“After installing KB5020044, Task Manager might display certain elements in the user interface (UI) in unexpected colors. On affected devices, Task Manager should function as expected but some parts of the UI might not be readable,” reads the doc.
“You might be affected by this issue if you have “Choose your mode” set to “Custom”, in the Personalization -> colors section of Settings. If you are using Dark or Light for the “Choose your mode” setting, you should not be affected by this issue.”
Microsoft is working on a permanent fix for the problem. In the meantime, there is a workaround that’s outlined on the same page:
“To mitigate this issue, you can set the “Choose your mode” setting to either Dark or Light until this issue is resolved. To do this,right clickorlong presson thedesktop, select “Personalize”, select “Colors”, and then select either “Dark” or “Light” for “Choose your mode”.”
Since the issue only appears in a preview update of Windows 11, the number of affected users is likely rather small. Microsoft will presumably find a permanent fix before shipping December’s Patch Tuesday update.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
