neowin[.]net/news/latest-optional-cumulative-update-for-1903-breaks-search-and-vmware-workstation-for-some
answers.microsoft[.]com/en-us/windows/forum/all/kb4517211-causes-vmware-workstation-pro-1417-to/aef3bcf9-0e44-4353-bc7f-fec7daec40d7?page=2
What's more interesting to me is that it seems like it might be an intentional break, which is one reason I'm posting about it. There's a file -- C:\Windows\ apppatch\ sysmain.sdb -- that stores software compatibility data, and can be edited/written using Microsoft Compatibility tools. The problem with the VMWare versions mentioned seems to be that compatibility database telling Windows that the VMWare version is incompatible, & not to let it run. Replacing that file with an older version apparently cures the problem. Something I'll try to remember since Microsoft doesn't tend to have one-offs, but repeats the same unfortunate behaviors.