Why does this feel like a pharmaceutical commercial or perhaps it is just job security for Microsoft Corporation 454,46 +2,87 +0,64% engineers? Users on the ‘C’ update channel who have installed the upcoming Windows 11 22H2 November Preview (KB5020044) may find their task manager is unreadable. However, network file copying should be back to speeds it was prior to the 22H2 update. Note: users on the regular update channel will not be offered KB5020044 until the December (13th) Patch Tuesday) and this issue could be resolved by that point.
“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,” Microsoft explains.
“You might be affected by this issue if you have “Choose your mode” set to “Custom”, in the Personalization -> colors section of Settings.”
Until a fix is issued, user should switch to light or dark in ‘Choose your mode’ via right-click on the desktop, go to Personalize > Colors.