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Microsoft released KB5021233 on December 13, 2022. It was a cumulative security and quality update—not a Windows 10 feature upgrade—and moved Windows 10 version 22H2 to build 19045.2364. Its highlighted user-facing fix addressed the Camera app becoming unresponsive when available memory was low. The update is now historical: newer cumulative updates supersede it, and Windows 10’s general support ended on October 14, 2025, except for editions and programs with different lifecycle terms or applicable Extended Security Updates.
Which Windows 10 versions received KB5021233?
Microsoft listed KB5021233 for Windows 10 versions 20H2 through 22H2. The build number depends on the version installed before the update:
| Windows 10 version | Build after KB5021233 | Scope note |
|---|---|---|
| 20H2 | 19042.2364 | Supported editions |
| 21H1 | 19043.2364 | Applicable editions |
| 21H2 | 19044.2364 | Applicable editions |
| 22H2 | 19045.2364 | All editions |
These version and build details come from Microsoft’s KB5021233 release notes. A cumulative update adds fixes to an existing Windows installation; it does not itself upgrade a PC to 22H2.
What changed in the update?
Camera app reliability
The highlighted fix addressed an issue that could make the Camera app stop responding when available memory was low. It was a specific app reliability fix, not a general repair for webcam hardware, drivers, or every camera problem.
#1 Best Overall
Security, quality and servicing
Microsoft said the package included security fixes for Windows and general quality improvements. It also included a servicing-stack update (SSU), which improves the component that installs Windows updates. The SSU applied to systems on builds ending in .2300, including 19045.2300 for 22H2.
Microsoft listed no new user-facing features, redesigns, or major interface changes for 22H2 in this release. Supported Windows 10 20H2 editions also received a fix for Direct Access reconnection failures after temporary network loss or a change of Wi-Fi network or access point; this was not a 22H2-specific feature.
How to check whether it is installed
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select View update history and look under Quality Updates for KB5021233.
- To check the current Windows version and build, press Windows key + R, enter
winver, and press Enter. A 22H2 system at this update’s build level reports OS Build 19045.2364.
A newer build means a later cumulative update has superseded this one; there is no reason to install KB5021233 separately on a normally maintained PC.
Rank #2
- 15.6" diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, BrightView, 220 nits, 45% NTSC.
How it was installed—and whether to install it now
When it was current, consumers could use Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates, let Windows install the cumulative update, then restart if prompted. Microsoft’s historical release page described Windows Update as an available consumer route. It also records that, as of September 12, 2023, KB5021233 was no longer available through the Microsoft Update Catalog, Windows Update for Business, or WSUS. A catalog search page may retain historical metadata; that does not make the package a current supported download route.
Do not seek third-party copies of the update package. If maintaining a legacy machine, use the latest applicable update offered through a supported servicing route for that device and its lifecycle coverage. Microsoft says general Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025; options depend on the edition and program, and may include applicable ESU coverage or moving to a supported Windows version. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 release-health page.
Known issues and their scope
Custom offline images could omit Chromium-based Edge
On custom Windows installation media, administrators who integrated KB5021233 without first adding the required servicing-stack update could find that the process removed Edge Legacy but did not automatically install the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge. Microsoft said devices receiving updates directly through Windows Update were not affected in the same way. Its workaround was to install the new Microsoft Edge directly; for later image servicing, integrate the required SSU before the cumulative update.
Rank #3
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
- 12GB system memory for full-power multitasking
- 256GB Solid State Drive
- 15.6" Micro-edge touchscreen display
Some ODBC applications could lose SQL Server connectivity
Some applications using the Microsoft ODBC SQL Server driver, sqlsrv32.dll, could fail to connect after the update. Reported errors included “Protocol error in TDS Stream” and “Unknown token received from SQL Server.” Microsoft tied the issue to particular use of SQLBindCol, SQLFetch, or SQLGetData, including a zero BufferLength for certain fixed data types larger than four bytes.
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Administrators can check whether a running process loads the affected driver with:
tasklist /m sqlsrv32.dllMicrosoft later marked the ODBC issue as addressed by KB5022282. For an affected system, check for a later applicable corrective cumulative update rather than treating removal of KB5021233 as the only remedy.
Rank #4
- Latitude 7480 Laptop 14"
- Intel Core i7 6th Gen i7-6600U -Core Processor 2.6GHz (3.4GHz With Turbo Boost)
- 256 GB SSD Hard Drive & 16GB Memory
- 1920x1080 FHD resolution Non-Touch with Webcam and an integrated graphics chip
- Wireless Wifi & Bluetooth
Some devices could show a 0xc000021a blue screen
Microsoft documented a boot failure with error 0xc000021a on some systems. It attributed the issue to a version mismatch between C:WindowsSystem32hidparse.sys and C:WindowsSystem32drivershidparse.sys. This was not a universal result of installing the update. Microsoft said KB5022282 addressed the issue for systems that had not yet encountered it.
Microsoft’s recovery procedure for the blue-screen issue
For a system already affected and unable to start normally, Microsoft documented this Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) workaround. Use it as written; Microsoft warned against deleting hidparse.sys from the System32 directory or substituting unrelated fixes.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment, then choose Troubleshoot > Start recovery, troubleshooting, and diagnostic tools > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
- Sign in if prompted. If Windows is installed on a drive other than C:, substitute its drive letter in the command.
- Run the copy command:
xcopy C:windowssystem32drivershidparse.sys C:windowssystem32hidparse.sys - Type
exit, then select Continue and allow Windows to restart.
If the machine cannot reach WinRE, use recovery media or seek help from an administrator. Once the system is accessible, move to a later applicable update rather than stopping at this historical build.
Best Value
Can KB5021233 be uninstalled?
KB5021233 was delivered as a combined SSU and cumulative update package. Microsoft notes that the servicing-stack component cannot be removed separately, so wusa.exe /uninstall does not remove the combined package. For advanced administration, first identify installed package names with:
DISM /online /get-packagesMicrosoft’s removal guidance uses DISM with the relevant package name. Back up first and avoid removing an old security update unless there is a specific reason and a recovery plan; a later corrective cumulative update is generally the better path where available.
Deployment notes for administrators
Microsoft documented prerequisites that matter mainly for offline imaging and older standalone or WSUS deployment workflows:
- Offline OS image servicing: The image needed the March 22, 2022 cumulative update or later; otherwise, a special standalone May 10, 2022 servicing-stack update was required.
- WSUS or standalone Catalog installation: A system without the May 11, 2021 cumulative update or later needed the special August 10, 2021 servicing-stack update.
For managed environments, validate custom images separately from devices updated directly through Windows Update, and test database connectivity if applications use the affected ODBC driver. KB5021233 is a legacy baseline, not a sensible current patch target.
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