Task Manager text unreadable after installing KB5020044

After installing the KB5020044 update for Windows 11, 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.

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.

Steps to reproduce the problem

• In the Personalize → Colors window, select “Custom”
• Set your default Windows mode to “Dark”
• Set your default app mode to “Light”

(or)

• Set your default Windows mode to “Light”
• Set your default app mode to “Dark”

[Version 22H2 OS Build 22621.900]

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UPDATE (December 13, 2022): The Cumulative Update KB5021255 (OS Build 22621.963) resolves this issue!

• This update addresses a known issue that might affect Task Manager. It might display certain elements in the user interface (UI) in unexpected colors. Some parts of the UI might not be readable. This issue might occur if you have “Choose your mode” set to “Custom” in the Personalization > Colors section of Settings.

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Workaround

If you don’t want to uninstall the KB5020044 update, follow one of the workarounds.

Option 1

To workaround this issue, you can change the “Choose your mode” setting to “Dark” or “Light” until Microsoft addresses this issue.

To do this:

• Open Settings, select Personalize and select Colors.
• For Choose your mode, select Dark or Light.

(Microsoft is working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release. See paragraph “Task Manager might not display in expected colors” in the Windows 11, version 22H2 known issues and notifications webpage.)

Option 2: Revert to the earlier Taskmgr.exe version

The earlier version of Taskmgr.exe (10.0.22621.608) doesn’t have this issue. You can download the version from the following link:

https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols/taskmgr.exe/D5F55D6F2f4000/taskmgr.exe

SHA256: dc8e8f54744a7f1887f4ecc712f16eb3156f6e420df781774a3a8b9328b86fca

Instructions

• The above file will download as a .blob file. Rename it to Taskmgr.exe after downloading it.
• Open a Trusted Installer Command Prompt.
• Rename c:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe to taskmgr.exe.old.
• Copy the downloaded Taskmgr.exe to the System32 directory.

Note: However, if you run the “Sfc /scannow” command in the future, it will restore the latest version of Taskmgr.exe.