Windows update side effect: Weakness in counting in the task manager

The Windows Update Preview appeared last week. It does not appear to have any serious side effects, but introduces a bizarre error under Windows 11 24H2: The task manager can no longer add up running apps and processes since the update.

After installing the October Update Preview, the Task Manager displays a total of "0" for the number of running apps or processes, although active apps and processes are of course running, Microsoft writes in a problem confirmation in the Windows Release Health Notes. The problem occurs in particular on the process page when the "View" – "Group by type" option is selected.

Task Manager problem

"Normally the task manager displays the number of processes next to each group name (e.g. apps, background processes) to give users a quick overview of active processes. Due to the issue, the task manager instead displays (0) for each group, regardless of the actual number of running processes," explain the Microsoft developers.

Microsoft states that the company is working on a solution and will provide further information as soon as it is available.

Last week, Microsoft initially published the update previews for Windows 10 22H2, Windows 11 22H2 and Windows 23H2 on Wednesday night. On Thursday night, the developers then also released the preview for Windows 11 24H2, which was classified as non-security-relevant.

The updates include a setting option for the Copilot+ button so that it can also launch other apps. They also correct minor annoyances. The update of the list of vulnerable drivers, which Windows no longer loads as a result, is also relevant to security. Attackers use these in "Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver" attacks, for example, and misuse them to cause further damage.

(dmk)