The issues were introduced with KB5019980 / KB5019961 for Windows 11 users and KB5019959 for Windows 10 users. The Microsoft-induced DirectX or Direct3D application bugs are described as intermittent, which might be one of the reasons why they persisted for so long without even an official workaround.

Vole said, "After installing KB5019980, you might receive an error with apphelp.dll on Windows devices using Intel graphics drivers with versions 26.20.100.7463 up to 30.0.101.1190.” Additionally, it explained, “This issue might happen intermittently and affects apps which use DirectX or Direct3D to render part or all of their content.” It appears to be the case that apphelp is being an app hindrance.

Microsoft now admits and acknowledges this apphelp.dll bug, and while it says that a resolution will be in an upcoming update, there is a workaround that affected users can try.

Microsoft says the apphelp.dll bug affecting DirectX and Direct3D titles can usually be sidestepped by applying the latest Intel drivers. It recommends users “install an Intel graphics driver with a later version than 30.0.101.1190.” That driver was released in December 2021.