Last month, Microsoft subtly indicated that the anticipated release of Windows 11 25H2 is on the horizon. While the company has yet to officially announce the stable version of this significant update, industry insiders speculate that it could debut between October and November, aligning with Microsoft’s historical rollout patterns. As the tech giant refines the final elements of Windows 11 25H2, it is also focused on expanding the availability of Windows 11 24H2 to a broader range of devices.
In a recent development, Microsoft has removed an update block that previously hindered the Windows 11 24H2 update from appearing on the Windows Update page for certain PCs. This change means that a greater number of devices will now be eligible for the 24H2 update, and they are expected to operate smoothly, alleviating issues that were reported earlier.
Microsoft finally removes a key barrier holding back Windows 11 24H2 rollout
Back in May, Microsoft made the Windows 11 24H2 update accessible to all users, with the exception of those PCs categorized under a “Compatibility hold.” This precaution was necessary due to increasing reports of performance instability following the update. The reasons for these restrictions varied across different devices, particularly affecting PCs powered by Intel’s Alder Lake processors or newer models that utilized Easy Anti-Cheat software, commonly employed in multiplayer online games.
Fortunately, the recent lifting of the compatibility hold now allows Alder Lake+ PCs to safely download and install the 24H2 update through Windows Update. However, it is essential to note that some devices may still encounter other compatibility holds. In such cases, users are advised to wait for Microsoft to remove these blocks rather than attempting a manual installation via the media creation tool, which could compromise system stability.
On its Release Health page, Microsoft has also pointed out that certain Alder Lake+ PCs might still be running outdated versions of Easy Anti-Cheat, which could impede the installation of the 24H2 update. If this is the case, users will receive a warning on their PC, prompting them to update to the latest version of Easy Anti-Cheat. The process is straightforward; simply launching your frequently played game will trigger the automatic update of Easy Anti-Cheat.
It has taken Microsoft nearly a year to resolve these issues, and while progress has been made, not all update blocks have been lifted. The timeline for removing the remaining compatibility holds remains uncertain, but there is hope that all restrictions will be addressed before the official rollout of Windows 11 25H2 Stable.
