I'm running Windows 10 LTSC with the latest updates.
The one thing I did notice is that although checking the box causes the exception error, the box remains checked when VA options is opened again. I unchecked plugins and the exception goes away.
Other than VA, I have nothing else on the system using the Windows speech engine. I did see some text in the exception error with respect to EDDI, which I am running, and this application uses the Windows speech engine and is loaded as a plugin when VA is opened and the options/System Advanced is opened to check that box.