Thanks for replying to a low priority inquiry. I did see similar complaints in the historic record here, but assumed those were resolved through a patch of some sort, particular to the KB version.
My only troubleshooting steps involved plunking said title into google and seeing if this was a new issue. At one point I read a post from a year ago stating the problem went away after the next security update came around.
I did think to uninstall the update and let Windows Update do it's thing but, as I stated in my original post, the update in question doesn't show up in the list (only Update for Microsoft Windows KB5049622).
On Jan 15, I reached out to MS Support and let the guy look at my PC remotely. At first he indicated my PC was up to date, as the Windows Update screen said and to ignore the security update reinstallation. Then he downloaded a file called "mediacreationtool", a Windows 11 disc image file, and started the "install the OS without turfing my data" option (paraphrase in quotes). Before we parted ways, he said the error won't return.
I did try the kernel/scan steps in the thread you provided. Of course, Norton 360 makes a fuss over this but I turned it off and let MS Security take over. No change.
If it's a matter of waiting for a patch, that's cool, I can do that.