Windows 10 22H2 can be rendered unbootable if ''Windows Fax and Scan'' is removed
There is a serious bug in the 32-bit kernel releases (x86) of Windows 10 22H2 (though older versions, such as 21H2 or 21H1 may also be affected; I have not tested). I was doing some test-installs of the latest 22H2 release, using install-media built from the Media Creation Tool. (The version that this tool creates is currently Build 19045.2006). To reproduce this bug, do the following: 1 Install the x86 version of Windows 10 Version 22H2 onto a PC, or inside a VM (e.g. Home or Pro) 2 After the Desktop appears, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Optional Features 3 Click "Windows Fax & Scan" in the list, then the "Uninstall" button 4 After the uninstall is finished, and "Reboot required" appears, restart the PC or VM session 5 During the next boot-up, it will first go to this screen briefly: "Updating your system 0%" But will then go to a blue-screen with this error: Stop code: KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED What failed: NTFS.SYS 6 After a reboot, the blue-screen will appear again, then after the next reboot Windows will go to the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen 7 The only way to repair the Windows install is to use a System Restore point, should one exist I have been able to replicate this issue on ALL x86 kernel installs of Windows 10 22H2 I have tested, but the 64-bit (x64, AMD64) kernel versions are unaffected. I have no ARM devices to test. Needless to say, this should be treated as critical as this is easily reproduceable, and uses only built-in options supplied with Windows, but leaves systems completely unbootable afterwards. Thanks