Microsoft releases Win10 22H2 KB5034203 optional update: Uninstall all pre-installed software!

Today, Microsoft pushed out the KB5034203 update to Windows 10 version 22H2 users, which will bring the version number up to 19045.3996.

After installing this update, users will be able to uninstall all pre-installed software, but unfortunately only users in Europe are supported.

Microsoft said that in an effort to ensure compliance with the European Economic Area's Digital Marketplace Act, it allows users to be able to uninstall all pre-installed software in Windows, including Edge, Bing Search, Photos, and Camera.

This non-security update includes quality improvements. When you install this KB:

• Microsoft has been working to ensure compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Economic Area (EEA). To learn more, see Previewing changes in Windows to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the European Economic Area. These changes will gradually roll out to Windows 10, version 22H2 PCs in the EEA to be compliant by March 6, 2024.
• This update addresses an issue that affects an Internet Explorer shortcut. After you use a policy to remove it, the shortcut reappears.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). A caching issue occurs. The issue causes CurrentTimeZone to change to the wrong value.
• This update addresses an issue that affects XPath queries on FileHash and other binary fields. It stops them from matching values in event records.
• This update addresses a known issue that affects BitLocker data-only encryption. A mobile device management (MDM) service, such as Microsoft Intune, might not get the right data. This occurs when you use the FixedDrivesEncryptionType or SystemDrivesEncryptionType policy settings in the BitLocker configuration service provider (CSP) node.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Code Integrity Module (ci.dll). This issue stops your device from responding.
• This update includes quarterly changes to the Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file, DriverSiPolicy.p7b. It adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
• This update affects Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Secure Boot systems. It adds a renewed signing certificate to the Secure Boot DB variable. You can now opt for this change.
• This update addresses an issue that stops you from reconnecting to an existing Remote Desktop session. Instead, you get a new one.
• This update addresses an issue that occurs when you change the keyboard language. The change fails to apply to RemoteApps in some scenarios.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) Post Authentication Actions (PAA). The actions occur at restart instead of at the end of the grace period.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Active Directory. Bind requests to IPv6 addresses fail. This occurs when the requestor is not joined to a domain.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the LocalUsersAndGroups CSP. It stops processing group memberships if it cannot find a group.
• This update addresses an issue that affects deleted cloud files. When a cloud provider vetoes a deletion request, the files might still be removed.
• This update addresses an issue that affects MSIX applications. They do not open, and, in some cases, they make the host unresponsive. This occurs when they use MSIX App Attach with a CimFS image.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Group Policy Folder Redirection in a multi-forest deployment. The issue stops you from choosing a group account from the target domain. Because of this, you cannot apply advanced folder redirection settings to that domain. This issue occurs when the target domain has a one-way trust with the domain of the admin user. This issue affects all Enhanced Security Admin Environment (ESAE), Hardened Forests (HF) or Privileged Access Management (PAM) deployments.
• This update changes a setting in Active Directory Users & Computers. By default, the snap-in now uses a strong certificate mapping of X509IssuerSerialNumber. It does not use the weak mapping of x509IssuerSubject.

Windows 10 22H2 KB5034203 patch download link:

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5034203

You can find the full support post here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/january-23-2024-kb5034203-os-build-19045-3996-preview-d9540687-af96-46ba-9192-88fe44833561