Since last Windows Update "task host window is stopping background tasks windows 10" on 4 machines

It's a result of the last defender virus update - it's giving a false positive on Hive.NY which is part of anything based on the chrome browser.

Defender stops it and will find it anytime chrome (or chrome derived) browser runs.

Do not interfere - like allowing defender to ignore.

Hopefully it'll get sorted on the next virus update - or a patch. Until then you'll get a notification each time you start - and if you follow through to virus report /action, it will have been sorted.

Ignore and carry on. Not a virus or malware.

Trust me 😁

Now windows defender appears to hunt some process-infection, a complete scan is advised, I will keep my PC running for a while:

This might be another update-problem:

https://tweakers.net/nieuws/200702/microsoft-edge-gebruikers-melden-opstartproblemen-na.html

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-defender-falsely-detects-win32-hivezy-in-google-chrome-electron-apps/

My system is up to date, including defender update today (during this session).

I wanted to shut down, but task host was preventing it. I'm curious whether this will be resolved after the next reboot.

Happy to say problem gone away. 4 shutdowns since last night -all normal. The only significant event in system event log is a routine windows defender virus update - or that's what MS said it was😁. I've had no problem since that update - some may call that 'odd'.

Let's hope it sticks.

KB5016688 installed two days ago. Thus far have been able to shut down without incidence.

What I have noticed is there has only been one update check prior to shutting down. Over the last few weeks, there were two update checks and others have noted this could also be a source of the issue.

Keeping fingers crossed if shut down process continues without hanging on the task host issue.