Windows 10 has received a new cumulative update, but sadly – as is becoming more prevalent – some users are experiencing problems with it.
This is Microsoft’s monthly patching round for June, and it offers a variety of security fixes (along with file management updates). This update is available on May 2021 Update, October 2020 Update, and May 2020 Update of Windows 10 (all of which are based on the same core features).
Some users seem to be experiencing issues with the taskbar, and the unfortunate thing is that an earlier preview of this upgrade, patch KB5003214, which was released in late May for testing, contained the same kinds of bugs – so they haven’t been addressed for release.
It was noted by Windows Latest that some users are reporting various taskbar-related issues. According to them, “KB5003214 [May preview update] was optional, but KB5003637 is automatically installed and makes things worse (taskbar icons bug). According to them, these updates literally break the usability of their PC.
What did the complaint say?
One post on Reddit complains: “Just installed this update and the taskbar is very broken. I turned off the new News and Interests feature but the notification area keeps getting visually corrupted. Wave the mouse over it and it improves but the clock and some icons are off the screen.
Eventually, the entire notification area went off the screen. Changing taskbar settings like autohide and small icons and then changing back will get the taskbar to redraw – but the fix is only temporary.
I have an HP Elitebook and 2x 27″ monitors. The corruption occurs on whichever monitor is the main monitor. Corruption also occurs when using only the laptop screen.”
There are “a number of issues reported”, including the system tray icons (on the far right of the taskbar) being corrupted or even disappearing altogether, the search box disappearing from the taskbar, and a number of other glitches (including problems with Action Center notifications too). Neither of these bugs has been formally acknowledged in the new cumulative update of June.
Relevant Article: Sony Bravia X90J 55-inch Ultra-HD HDR TV Series Launched
How to fix taskbar issues after KB5003214
The Windows Latest website suggests that some problems may stem from having multiple language packs and/or input method editors (IMEs). Your best bet would be to simply uninstall the update (or put it on hold for the time being).
Fortunately, there is another easy fix that allows you to keep the security patches contained in KB5003637 – and that is to turn off the newly introduced News widget on the taskbar, which can sometimes be the root cause.
If that doesn’t work, you can go to Settings > System > Display and make sure that the option for changing the size of text, apps, and other items is set to the ‘recommended’ size under ‘Scale and layout’. If it isn’t, that could be another possible trigger for the taskbar bug.
KB5003637 is also causing problems with printers in addition to the taskbar issues. According to Windows Latest, the patch squashes a vulnerability related to print spooler, but that fix actually leads to the spooler failing.
In order to restore your printer to normal functionality, you will need to uninstall the KB5003637 cumulative update.
You might be interested in reading: Top 10 Best OLED 4K TV for Gaming
Hopefully, you got the information that you were looking for. Thanks for reading the article up to the end. For more informative and exclusive tech content, stay tuned to us.
We’d like to hear your opinion on the issues and solution given by the company. Has it stood strong on your expectations? Does it lack something? Please drop a comment below.
