Windows 11’s December update fixes taskbar crashes and app stutters

Microsoft has confirmed several bugs in Windows 11 that can cause noticeable annoyances in day-to-day operation: taskbar crashes, unresponsive File Explorer, and stutters when launching games or apps. The company is now providing the first fixes for these issues. Here are the causes and whether you should install the update.

Windows 11 taskbar freezes and crashes due to certain notifications

For several weeks now, users have been reporting problems with the Windows 11 taskbar. According to Windows Latest, it suddenly disappears, reloads, or no longer responds at all. According to Microsoft, the cause is due to an error in explorer.exe, which is triggered by certain incoming notifications.

The problem can also supposedly occur even if there are no new notifications at all, as long as there are unread notifications in the Notification Center. Microsoft does not provide any specific details, but confirms that the error has been corrected in December’s optional update KB5070311 (Build 26200.7309 / 26100.7309).

Windows 11 games and apps are briefly stuttering upon launch

For the first time, Microsoft has confirmed that brief stutters can occur when launching games and apps if a particularly high-resolution or high-frequency monitor is used. Many programs query for supported resolutions and refresh rates at startup. Although this process still works correctly, it causes short hangs on high-resolution displays.

With the current update, this effect should be significantly reduced, for example when starting games, when changing the resolution, or when opening certain display tools. Performance should not be impaired during actual gameplay.

More Windows 11 bugs fixed, but new problems are introduced

Microsoft has corrected two other bugs:

On some devices, the display brightness could not be reliably adjusted or jumped back to the original value after changes.

Windows incorrectly reported an “unsupported graphics card” although the graphics chip was fully compatible.

However, the update itself introduces new errors:

In some cases, white image flashes occur in File Explorer.

The password option may be missing on the login screen.

Microsoft recommends carefully considering whether you should install this optional update right away or wait until the mandatory “Patch Tuesday” on December 9th, 2025. The monthly mandatory updates are considered more stable and should also fix the new display errors.

If you’re affected by taskbar crashes or stutters when starting apps, it may be worth installing the optional update. If you currently have no problems, it’s safer to wait until Patch Tuesday.

Install the KB5070311 update

To install the December KB5070311 update, open the Start menu and navigate to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. In the “Available optional updates” section, you’ll find the link to download and install available updates. Alternatively, you can download the update for your PC directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Read More