KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED

I had done essentially the same thing with my PC, which is also a new HP computer, but this did not solve the problem. Here's more history:

I first started and setup the PC on 4/1/20, and disabled use of McAfee software. I did not have any problems with the machine until 5/8/20, when it started having Kmode exceptions which became so frequent that Windows said I had to reset the PC's Windows installation. I tried a partial reset that kept my data files, but the PC still had the Kmode exceptions, so I did a complete reset of the PC on 5/8/20. I again removed McAfee software, and continued using the PC. The PC ran without problems until 5/18/20, when it starting having Kmode exceptions again. The Kmode exceptions again became so frequent that Windows said I needed to reset the PC.

So, I reset the PC on 5/19/20 and again removed McAfee software from the control panel. I discovered that I could cause the Kmode exceptions to happen at will, just by trying to perform a Windows system update, after Windows had installed all the above updates that I described in my initial post yesterday. 

I think others may have the same problem. You can easily test it, by trying to perform a Windows system update using the following menus and selections:

control panel

  system and security

      security and maintenance

         maintenance

            start maintenance

I suspect that after Windows installs KB4052623, it then has a problem trying to install KB2267602 that causes a Kmode exception. This might happen for other PC's, whenever they get to a point in their update cycle that causes them to try these updates. The latest version of KB4052623 was released on 4/30/20, about a week before my PC started having Kmode exception crashes.

Phil

I ended up getting into the Restore operation, chose the option to retain my files but otherwise do a re-install, and the machine in question is running like a top. I removed the factory-installed McAfee the day I bought the machine so for me it was not the cause.

I have four HP computers here, three are based on the same motherboard. Only one has done this KMode nonsense.  It remains a mystery to me, but for the time being at least, the issue seems resolved.

I had also removed McAfee anti-virus software from my system, but this did not solve or prevent the problem I reported above.  Windows consistently gives a KMODE exception blue screen of death, whenever I try to perform a Windows maintenance update.

After booting into safe mode, I had to uninstall my McAfee anti-virus software which solved the problem.  I have had compatibility issues before with McAfee anti-virus and Windows 10, especially after a major Win 10 update.  I have been using the default Windows 10 Defender and anti-virus without any problems.

I've been having the same problem with a new PC. In fact, I can make the Kmode exceptions happen at will, by going through the following menus and selections:

control panel

  system and security

      security and maintenance

         maintenance

            start maintenance

A Kmode exception happens about 5 seconds after I click "start maintenance". It's very repeatable. I've tried it about 5 times and it always happens. After the PC restarts and I logon, it seems to be fine and I can do other things, or make the Kmode exception happen again.

This is with a new PC that was "reset" to its initial Windows 10 factory settings, after the Kmode exceptions happened so frequently today that Windows said it had to be reset. The only updates that are now installed on this PC are:  KB4501374, KB4537759, KB4517245, KB4552931, KB4552152, KB4541338, KB4525419, KB4497727, KB4052623.

The Windows update history says that KB2267602 failed to install today, and describes this as "Security Intelligence Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus". It seems likely this is related to the Kmode exceptions, but I don't know. The only software I installed on this PC after it was reset was Firefox and Microsoft Intellipoint. I also setup Microsoft quicklaunch, for Windows 10. (I removed the prepackaged McAfee antivirus software from the control panel after the PC was reset, because I don't want to use McAfee. I'd rather just use Windows Defender Antivirus, if possible.)

I sure hope Microsoft can fix this problem. It appears to be a showstopper for my use of the PC. I expect that if Windows tries automatically to install new updates, the updates will continue to have Kmode exceptions, and Windows will eventually again force me to reset the Windows installation on the PC -- which is a big pain because of all the software configurations I need to re-install on a new PC.

Phil Jackson

******@gmail.com