Recently, Microsoft released a new Extended Security Update (ESU), KB5122878, for Windows 10 version 22H2. This is part of the July 06, 2026, Patch Tuesday update, which brings security improvements, includes fixes to the sign-in process in specific apps, and improves protection for Remote Desktop files. This update primarily secures the system and improves overall performance. However, several users reported in online forums and on Reddit that updating to Windows 10 version 19045.7548 by installing KB5122878 ruined their computers, made them very slow, or caused some apps to be missing.
Notepad.exe has been missing since I install KB5122878 Windows 10 version 19045.7663, it is not in my Recycle Bin, nor is it in System32.
Missing Notepad on Windows 10
With the latest Windows 10 version, 22H2, Microsoft has made Notepad, MS Paint, and WordPad optional components. If your device is affected after installing KB5122878 and these apps have disappeared, here is how to get them back.
Add from Optional Features
- Right-click on the Windows 10 Start menu, select Settings,
- Navigate to Apps, then select Apps & Features.
- Next, click the Optional features link on the right.
- From here, you can opt to reinstall any of the apps you need, to add/install an optional feature (Notepad or Paint), or click Add a feature.
- Then search for the feature, check the box next to it, and click the Install button.
- That’s it, this way you can install Notepad, MS Paint, or MS Word as well.
Check for corrupted system files
Still need help? The corrupted system file may cause the issue. Let’s run the System File Checker utility, which detects and replaces corrupted system files with the correct ones.
- Open the Command Prompt as administrator.
- Click Yes if UAC (User Account Control) asks for permission.
- In the command prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press the Enter key on the keyboard
Let the scanning process complete 100%. Once done, restart your PC and check whether this resolves the issue of apps not opening or missing on Windows 10.
Uninstall Windows 10 KB5122878
You can also uninstall KB5122878 for Windows 10 and see if that helps. You can uninstall any Windows 10 update by following the steps below.
- Open Settings using the Windows key + I
- Navigate to Update & Security, then Windows Update.
- Here, click on View Update History
- Next, click the ‘Uninstall update’ option, then in the Control Panel select KB5122878 to highlight it, and click ‘Uninstall.’
- Once done, restart your system when asked.
You can also remove Windows Update KB5122878 using Command Prompt.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type the command wusa /uninstall /KB5122878/quiet /promptrestart and press the Enter key,
- Once done, save everything and restart your device.
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