Update KB5033372 creates various Windows Issues – How to Fix

Microsoft released Cumulative Update KB5033372 for Windows 10 versions 22H2 and 21H2 on December 12, 2023. This update aims to address security issues and enhance overall system quality.

However, there has been a significant dispute regarding the installation of this package, with numerous reported issues arising after its installation.

Can’t Install KB5033372?

Numerous users have encountered a range of issues when trying to install Cumulative Update KB5033372. These problems encompass freezes at the 20% mark, persistent installation failures leading to rollbacks, restart loops at 10% during the installation process, failures at 99%, and the appearance of various error codes, including 0x80070057, 0x80070002, 0x800F0922, and 0x80071a2d.

If you are experiencing difficulties with the installation of KB5033372, we recommend consulting the solutions provided in the following article for assistance.

Fix PC Problems after installation of KB5033372

Users have encountered a range of issues post-installation of the KB5033372 file, as reported. Here is a compilation of some reported problems:

  1. BSOD Errors
  2. Can’t login to Windows and Loop Login Screen
  3. Scroll bar, Task bar, Start menu not working.
  4. Various apps stop working, crashes, freezes.
  5. Stuck on BitLocker after installing update KB5033372.
  6. Search bar stopped working.
  7. Windows reboot loop after update kb5033372

As you can see Windows 10/11 users are facing various problems after installing the updates KB5033372. In this troubleshooting article, we will guide you on how to overcome from all these problems.

Fix using the Outbyte PC Repair Tool

Many Windows issues stem from factors such as incompatible installed software and drivers, outdated drivers and applications, missing system files, corrupted residual files, incorrect or invalid entries in registry files, and malware or virus attacks.

To address problems arising after installing Windows update KB5033372, consider scanning your PC with the Outbyte PC Repair tool. This tool is designed to identify and resolve various issues with just a single click, offering a streamlined solution to enhance your system’s performance.

3 Steps to Fix this Error
Step 1. Download Outbyte PC Repair Tool [File Size: 16.4 MB]
Step 2. SCAN your Windows PC
Step 3. Click Fix button to Repair Error

Problem 1: Fix BSOD Errors after installing KB5033372 updates.

If you encounter BSOD errors following the installation of the aforementioned update file, resolve this issue by implementing the solutions provided below:

Solution 1: Open PC in Safe Boot Mode

Open PC in Safe Boot Mode
Step 1: Boot your PC using the Windows Installation media. It will open Windows Installation Wizard. Click Next.

Windows Installation

Step 2: Select Repair your computer.

Install Windows - Step 2

Step 3: It will open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Go to Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 4: Select Advanced options

advanced option windows 10 & 11

Step 5: Select Startup Settings

21_startup-settings

Step 6: Click on Restart button to enable safe mode.

Step 7: Once you boot your computer in Safe mode, uninstall the recently added games, drivers, and softwares.

Solution 2: Update all your Driver.

Update Driver - Step by Step
Step 1: Open Device Manager. Press Windows Key + X and click on Device manager.
Open Device Manager
Step 2: Look for driver which has yellow exclamation mark or warning on it.
Open Device properties
Step 3: Double click on the driver to open Properties. Go to Driver tab and click to Update Driver button.
Update driver
Step 4: Select “Search automatically for drivers”.
search automatically for drivers
Step 5: Follow the instructions and completes the process.
Step 6: If you get the “Windows was unable to install your driver” message, use another effective third-party tool to update/install all your driver.
Windows was unable to install your device

Solution 3: Remove KB5033372 Updates

Uninstall Updates - Step by Step
Step 1: Open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Go to the Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Uninstall Updates.
win-re-advanced-options
Step 3: Select Uninstall the latest quality update.
win-re-uninstall-updates
Step 4: click on the Uninstall quality update button and remove the updates.
win-re-uninstall-quality-update

Solution 4: System Restore

System Restore - Steps by Steps
Step 1: Open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Go to the Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ System Restore.

system_restore

Step 2: Click Next and then Select Date.

select system restore from the list

Step 3: Click on Finish to start Restoring process.

Problem 2: Windows login loop

Numerous users have reported encountering Windows Login screen loop problems, where, after entering the correct PIN or password, they are redirected to the Windows login screen repeatedly. To address this issue, follow the provided solutions below:

Solution 1: Remove KB5033372 Updates

Uninstall Updates - Step by Step
Step 1: Open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Go to the Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Uninstall Updates.
win-re-advanced-options
Step 3: Select Uninstall the latest quality update.
win-re-uninstall-updates
Step 4: click on the Uninstall quality update button and remove the updates.
win-re-uninstall-quality-update

Solution 2: Perform Startup Repair

Startup Repair - Step by Step
Step 1: Boot your PC using the Windows Installation media. It will open Windows Installation Wizard. Click Next.

windows os installation

Step 2: Select Repair your computer.

repair your computer option windows 10 & 11

Step 3: It will open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on the Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 4: It will open the Advanced startup menu. Go to the Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Startup Repair.
Startup Repair Windows 10 & 11
Step 5: Select OS.
Startup Repair - Select OS
Step 6: Wait until it diagnoses and repairs your PC.
repair-windows-from-usb-5

Problem 3: Scroll bar, Task bar, Start menu not working. Various apps stop working, crashes, and freezes.

If you are experiencing issues such as a non-functional Scroll bar, Taskbar, or Start menu, along with various apps encountering problems like crashes or freezes, consider trying the following solutions:

Solution 1: Restart Windows Explorer

Solution 2: Update all the Drivers.

Update Driver - Step by Step
Step 1: Open Device Manager. Press Windows Key + X and click on Device manager.
Open Device Manager
Step 2: Look for driver which has yellow exclamation mark or warning on it.
Open Device properties
Step 3: Double click on the driver to open Properties. Go to Driver tab and click to Update Driver button.
Update driver
Step 4: Select “Search automatically for drivers”.
search automatically for drivers
Step 5: Follow the instructions and completes the process.
Step 6: If you get the “Windows was unable to install your driver” message, use another effective third-party tool to update/install all your driver.
Windows was unable to install your device

Solution 3: Run SFC, CHKDSK, and DISM command, etc.

SFC/Chkdsk/Dism - Step by Step
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

open command prompt as administrator in Windows 8, 10 & 11

Step 2: Now run the following commands one by one.
i. System File Checker tool

sfc /scannow

ii. Run Dism command

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

iii. Run Disk checking utility.

chkdsk /f c:

It will show you message:

Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)

Press Y and Press Enter. The disk checking will start on next pc start.

Problem 4: Stuck on BitLocker after installing update KB5033372.

In this scenario, it is essential to have a BitLocker Recovery Password to unlock your PC. If you didn’t set up BitLocker previously but Windows is requesting the BitLocker Recovery Password, follow these steps to back up your data:

Step 1: Open the Elevated Command Prompt.

open command prompt as administrator in Windows 8, 10 & 11

Step 2: Execute the following commands.

cmd manage-bde.exe -protectors -adbackup C:

Problem 5: Search bar, Start menu, and Task bar stopped working

After installing updates KB5033372 on your Windows 10 version 22H2 x64 machine, if you encounter issues where the Search bar, Start menu, or Task bar have stopped working, you can resolve the problem by applying the following troubleshooting steps:

Solution 1: Restart Graphics Driver

Press Ctrl + Windows + Shift + B simultaneously to restart your Graphics driver.

Solution 2: Restart Windows Explorer

You can restart Windows Explorer as follows:

Step 1: Press Win + X and open Task Manager. Or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

open task manager windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.

restart windows 10 & 11 explorer

Problem 6: Windows reboot loop after update kb5033372

Numerous users have reported encountering a Windows reboot loop after installing update KB5033372. To overcome this issue, follow these steps: repair your Windows OS and subsequently remove the KB5033372 update file.

Repair Windows using the Commands
Step 1: Open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Select Command Prompt.

open_command_prompt in advanced startup option

Step 3: Run the following commands.

SFC Command

SFC stands for System File Checker, and it is used to scan and repair corrupted Windows files. The primary purpose of the System File Checker is to maintain the integrity of essential system files that Windows relies on for proper functioning.

sfc /scannow

CHKDSK Command

CHKDSK is a short form of “Check Disk” and it is used to scan and repair HDD/SSD errors such as integrity violation, file system failure, bad sectors on disk, etc.

chkdsk C: /f /r

DISM Command

The DISM command, which stands for “Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool,” is a command-line utility in Windows used for servicing and managing Windows operating system images. It’s a powerful tool that’s mainly used for tasks related to system repair, updates, and maintenance.

To check the health of the Windows image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

To attempt to repair any issues found in the image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Bootrec command

The bootrec command is a powerful command-line tool in Windows used for repairing and troubleshooting issues related to the boot process. It’s especially useful when dealing with boot-related problems that prevent your computer from starting correctly.

bootrec /scanos
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

How do I uninstall kb5033372?

The KB5033372 file appears to be faulty and is causing issues for numerous Windows users, resulting in various errors and problems. If you are experiencing problems after installing this update file, it is advisable to remove the December 2023 cumulative update and await the release of the January 2024 cumulative update file or any hotfixes provided by Microsoft.

Uninstall Updates - Step by Step
Step 1: Open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Go to the Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Uninstall Updates.
win-re-advanced-options
Step 3: Select Uninstall the latest quality update.
win-re-uninstall-updates
Step 4: click on the Uninstall quality update button and remove the updates.
win-re-uninstall-quality-update

Summary

Microsoft released the December 2023 KB5033372 cumulative update to enhance the security of the Windows system. Unfortunately, this update has caused issues for many users, rendering them unable to work on their PCs due to various problems. To address post-installation problems with KB5033372, follow these steps:

Open your PC in Safe Mode.

  1. Update all your drivers.
  2. Ensure all installed apps are up-to-date.
  3. If necessary, consider resetting your PC.

These steps should help resolve the difficulties encountered after installing the KB5033372 update.