Windows 10 Update Borked My Computer (Need Answer Somewhat Fast)

In My Humble Opinion
1

So, I came home and my computer had a little orange dot in the bottom taskbar, indicating it had installed an update (2022-12 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5021233)) and would restart later in the evening. So, I decided to restart while I was sitting there (my preferred method).

On “Update and Restart” the usual updating windows with a percentage came up and the computer shut off and started back up. So far, so good.

Then it all went south. The boot screen appeared, but then a blue screen with a “we’re sorry, go to Troubleshoot blue screen errors - Microsoft Support to see the problem associated with the code below (0xC000021a)” It them dumped me into a screen with Continue and Troubleshoot. Continue (to Windows 10) just resulted in the same screen (eventually)

So, I then tried a number of options in Troubleshoot/Advanced Settings, including Startup Repair, System Restore (point), trying command line “bootrec” suggestions from the net,and booting to Safe Mode (wouldn’t boot to Safe Mode, just went through the same error process dumping back in the Continue/Troubleshoot screen).

It seemed that all was lost and I’d have to do a System Reset (and have to reinstall all my non Windows programs, which is a PITA). I then tried a hail mary- I unplugged all my USB connections except for the mouse and keyboard and tried restarting. It restarted!

Except for the fact that Chrome will no longer launch (shows in my Programs but nothing shows up in Task Manager), the system seems to be back.

Except for the little orange dot in the taskbar…

So now I’m afraid to let the update finish installing. I’d like to Uninstall the update, but the Uninstall Updates window doesn’t show this update (only Updates as late as November). I’ve set the restart time to 24 hours from now, just to buy time, but that’s just a delaying tactic.

So, I’d like:

  1. Help on how to roll back this partially installed update

  2. Some words of wisdom talking me off the ledge of being afraid to Update and Restart

  3. Advice on what I should do to avoid being forced to Reset if Update and Restart doesn’t lead to another blue screen

  4. Any thoughts on why Chrome is borked (I suspect a successful restart might fix this, though)

I have to get up early tomorrwo, so I’ll only be on line for maybe another half hour. Back on (provided my delay worked) tomorrow morning

2

No direct advice from me this time. But a forum I frequent that helps people with update problems is called AskWoody.com and their forums.

3

Thanks. I did find this site, but it didn’t have anything that seemed on-point and the current 22H2 update waiting to finish installing through a Restart is listed as “Recommended”.

4

The 2022-12 Cumulative Update is not (yet) recommended. Feature Update 2H22 is a separate thing, and was likely installed a while back.

What I was recommending you do is go to their forums and post about the problem you are having. There are people there who know a lot about how the update system works, and might be able to help you with your issue.

Specifically I’d make a new topic in this forum:

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/forum/askwoody-support/windows/windows-10/windows-10-version-22h2/

5

Thanks- I’ve basically pasted this OP into an existing thread on this very problem

ETA: No, 22H2 as described in my OP was just installed today.

6

Coincidentally, a friend messaged me today warning me to not install 22H2:

My recollection is he runs a pretty damned clean Threadripper system

7

This may or may not be useful info …

Last night I sucessfully installed what MSFT says is “2022-12 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Vesion 21H2 for x64-based systems (KB5021233)”. The OP says his was for Windows version 22H2.

The relevant MSFT support link for both our versions is here:
December 13, 2022—KB5021233 (OS Builds 19042.2364, 19043.2364, 19044.2364, and 19045.2364) - Microsoft Support

What I believe are the relevant chunks for the OP are a couple of paragraphs near the bottom under the larger heading “How to get this update”. Specifically the paragraph that says this package updates both the “servicing stack” SSU (ie. the updater itself) and also the rest of Windows = the “LCU”.

It goes on to say the LCU can be uninstalled using the command line and explains how to do that. It also says the SSU cannot be uninstalled at all.

Which affords one line of inquiry & possible repair and also forecloses another.

Good luck.

8

Thanks. I’ll take a look at the article.

Another clue this morning. I sat down and logged in, and the system told me that a previously recognized USB device was no longer recognized. I have three USB connections- mouse, keyboard, and an external drive (doing some quick back-up last night). All of the connections are working (the mouse mouses, I’m typing this on the keyboard, and I have no problem accessing, and using the external drive). When/if I restart, I’ll pull all the USB connectors and then reconnect.

I also got a link at Woody’s with additional non-nuclear actions to try if I continue to get the boot error: https://www.troubleshootingcentral.com/how-to-fix-the-0xc000021a-update-error-on-windows-10/

9

Having you tried rolling back the system to a previous restore point?

10

Yes, while I was trying to get it to boot at all.