Windows 11 24H2 Update

Winsage
November 22, 2025
Windows 11 has encountered significant issues, including failures in the Windows Recovery Environment and complications during the migration from Windows 10 to 11. The recent Windows 11 24H2 update has led to critical failures for users, affecting core shell components such as explorer.exe, shelhost.exe, StartMenuExperienceHost, and ImmersiveShell. Symptoms include application crashes when initializing XAML views, explorer running without a taskbar, failure of the Start menu to launch, silent failures of System Settings, and crashes of ShellHost.exe. Microsoft attributes these problems to applications dependent on XAML packages not registering in time after the update. Reports indicate a shift in user preference, with a Linux distribution for former Windows users achieving 780,000 downloads within a month, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with Windows.
Winsage
October 17, 2025
Microsoft has lifted two compatibility holds that were blocking the installation of the Windows 11 24H2 update. The first hold, affecting systems with SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver, was removed after an update from SenseShield fixed the compatibility issue. Users can expect the update within 48 hours. The second hold, related to certain wallpaper customization applications, was lifted on October 15, 2025, allowing eligible devices to proceed with the installation. Users may receive a warning about potential incompatibilities during the installation process. Microsoft also addressed other compatibility concerns by removing blocks for PCs with integrated cameras and Bluetooth headsets. The Windows 11 2025 Update (25H2) was released on September 10 and is available to eligible users, who will receive it automatically unless managed by IT departments.
Winsage
September 29, 2025
Microsoft is preparing for the annual Windows update, with the stable release of Windows 11 25H2 expected soon. More PCs are now eligible for the Windows 11 24H2 update after resolving compatibility issues with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers affecting Intel's 11th Gen Core processors. Previously, a compatibility hold was implemented to prevent blue screens of death (BSODs) during the upgrade. Users can now receive the Windows 11 24H2 update via Windows Update if they had the affected driver versions. However, some PCs may still not display the update due to other safeguard holds, and users can check for updates through the Settings app.
Winsage
September 24, 2025
Microsoft released a patch on September 18, 2025, for Windows 11 24H2 that resolves a significant glitch preventing users from utilizing facial recognition through the integrated camera. This issue had been reported nearly a year prior and had blocked affected devices from receiving the Windows 11 24H2 update. With the fix, eligible devices can now install the update via the Windows Update channel, although it may take up to 48 hours for the update to become available. Microsoft is also addressing three remaining issues in Windows 11 24H2: problems with certain Digital TV and Blu-Ray/DVD applications, a blue or black screen error linked to the sprotect.sys driver, and incompatibility with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers. Meanwhile, Windows 11 25H2 is set to launch in October 2025, with a smaller installation package and a similar update process to previous versions.
Winsage
August 29, 2025
Microsoft investigated reports of SSD and HDD failures following the August 2025 KB5063878 security update and found no direct link between the update and the drive failures. Users, particularly in Japan, reported issues with various hard drive models, including Corsair Force MP600, Maxio SSD, SanDisk Extreme Pro, and Kioxia Exceria Plus G4, during intensive write operations when drives were over 60% full. Some users regained access to their drives after a restart, while others did not. Phison, a NAND controller manufacturer, is collaborating with Microsoft to address the situation. Microsoft advised Windows 11 users with drives over 60% capacity to avoid downloading, copying, or writing large files until the issue is resolved.
Winsage
August 18, 2025
Microsoft released a Defender security update during the August 2025 Patch Tuesday, targeting the Lumma stealer and other malware, which included the Windows 11 24H2 cumulative package (KB5063878). Early installations faced an error code, 0x80240069. Testing revealed that some solid-state drives (SSDs) became inaccessible and displayed unreadable SMART telemetry after sustained sequential writes of about 50 GB. A Japanese tester, NichePCGamer, documented failures in 21 different drives during tests involving large file transfers, particularly when controller utilization exceeded 60%. Failures were noted in several Phison-based NVMe models and other drives, with symptoms often reappearing after a reboot. Users are advised to back up data and avoid lengthy transfers on systems updated to KB5063878 while investigations continue.
Winsage
July 29, 2025
Microsoft has announced that servicing for the last supported editions of Windows 11 22H2 (Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise) will end on October 14. The final monthly security update for this version will be in October 2025, after which devices will no longer receive updates. Microsoft is implementing an automatic feature update for Windows 11 consumer and non-managed business devices that have reached their end of servicing to ensure continued security updates. Users can choose a convenient time for their devices to reboot for the Windows 24H2 feature update. The Windows 11 24H2 update began rolling out in May 2024 for enterprise customers and became available for eligible devices in October. Microsoft has established upgrade blocks for the 24H2 update on devices with incompatible drivers and software.
Winsage
July 26, 2025
Microsoft has indicated that the release of Windows 11 25H2 is expected between October and November, although an official announcement has not yet been made. The company has lifted an update block that previously prevented the Windows 11 24H2 update from appearing for certain PCs, allowing more devices to become eligible for the update. The Windows 11 24H2 update was made accessible to all users in May, except for those under a "Compatibility hold" due to performance instability issues, particularly affecting PCs with Intel's Alder Lake processors or those using Easy Anti-Cheat software. The recent removal of the compatibility hold allows Alder Lake+ PCs to download and install the 24H2 update, but some devices may still face other compatibility holds. Users are advised to wait for Microsoft to remove these blocks instead of attempting manual installations. Additionally, some Alder Lake+ PCs may need to update Easy Anti-Cheat to install the 24H2 update, which can be triggered by launching a frequently played game. While progress has been made in resolving these issues, not all update blocks have been lifted, and the timeline for removing the remaining compatibility holds is uncertain.
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