Another week brings yet another challenge for users of Windows 11 24H2. Over a month has passed since the rollout of this significant update, and the landscape has been marred by a series of connectivity issues, unexpected blue screen crashes, and failed rescue patches. The situation has escalated to the point where Microsoft has taken the precautionary step of blocking the update for certain affected devices.
Related: Must-know details about Windows 11 24H2
As Microsoft diligently works to resolve the myriad of existing issues, new complications continue to emerge. A recent report highlights a troubling situation where Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel, are crashing when a specific antivirus software is installed. This information comes from a support page detailing the issue.
The crux of the problem lies with CrowdStrike’s Falcon sensor antivirus software, which boasts several advanced cybersecurity features. However, these features may inadvertently interfere with the functionality of Windows 11 24H2. Users who have this antivirus installed and have enabled the “Enhanced Exploitation Visibility Prevention Policy” setting may find that both first- and third-party applications become unresponsive following the update.
- Office applications affected: Word, Excel
- Antivirus in question: CrowdStrike’s Falcon sensor
- Specific setting causing issues: Enhanced Exploitation Visibility Prevention Policy
At this point, it remains unclear whether other antivirus solutions are experiencing similar conflicts. The issue appears to be predominantly linked to CrowdStrike’s offering.
In response to these complications, Microsoft has added the affected devices to a list that prevents them from receiving the Windows 11 24H2 update. The tech giant has also announced its collaboration with CrowdStrike to address the ongoing issue.
This is not the first instance where Microsoft has sought assistance from external partners to tackle challenges arising from the major 2024 update. Just weeks prior, the company collaborated with SSD manufacturers to rectify a problem that was causing hardware crashes on certain devices.
It is important to note that this particular issue primarily impacts organizations and managed IT environments. However, for individual users experiencing other problems with Windows 11 24H2, reverting to a previous version may be a viable option.
Further reading: The best changes in Windows 11 24H2
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
