amtscanner.exe runtime error during inventory scan

I am getting this error whenever the inventory scan runs, whether it is from a local client starting the scan, the login mini-scan or a scan request from the console

I have temporarily re-named amtscanner.exe to .old & the scan now runs without error.

all recent critical & most important / high windows updates are applied

LDMS 9.5 with latest agent.  Also tried re-installing the agent, but same results.