Users of Windows 11 24H2 have recently reported a series of troubling issues following the installation of two new patches, KB5050094 and KB5051987. These updates appear to be particularly problematic for those utilizing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, with many experiencing significant game crashes and performance slowdowns.
As highlighted by Neowin, the first signs of trouble emerged when a user, known as kiddingguy, encountered crashes while attempting to play The Settlers: New Allies through Ubisoft Connect. This incident was merely the tip of the iceberg, as further reports indicated that the updates were causing widespread instability across various applications.
One affected user, operating an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K on an ASRock Z890 Pro RS motherboard, struggled to get their newly built system up and running without resorting to a beta BIOS. The challenges stemmed from an Intel microcode update that was integrated into the BIOS, despite the latest version of Windows 11 being properly installed. Unfortunately, the issues did not cease once the system was operational; users noted a “new massive performance problem” that arose when applications were minimized or not in focus. Reports suggest that the CPU’s clock rate was throttled significantly, leading to a noticeable drop in performance.
What is particularly concerning is the ability of users to replicate these performance issues across multiple applications, including 7Zip and Prime95. This suggests that the problems are not isolated to specific software but rather indicative of broader compatibility issues with the recent patches. One user reported that the performance in 7Zip’s benchmark was effectively halved when the program was minimized, and attempts to distribute the workload across the 24 cores of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K did not yield any improvement.
Currently, no definitive fix has been offered, aside from a workaround that involves adjusting power settings to maximize CPU performance during background processes. This solution, however, is not ideal for long-term use. Interestingly, users with AMD Ryzen 9 9950X processors or older Intel Core i9-12900K models have not reported similar issues, leading to speculation that the problems may be specific to Intel’s latest LGA 1851 platform.
The problems with Windows 11 continue
The challenges with Windows 11 seem to be mounting, particularly with the 24H2 version. In addition to the newly reported crashes and performance slowdowns, users have noted an increase in advertising within the Settings menu, high CPU utilization readings in Task Manager, and persistent reminders to back up their data.
Another peculiar bug associated with Windows 11 24H2 involved a glitch where half of the interface displayed in one language while the other half appeared in a different language. This issue was linked to a faulty installation that layered two language options, a phenomenon that had not been previously documented until last month.
While the artificial slowdown and software crashes present more serious concerns than advertising and interface errors, they collectively contribute to a less-than-ideal user experience since the rollout of the latest version on October 1, 2024. Fortunately, the two problematic patches are optional, allowing users to revert to a previous, more stable version of the operating system or consider a fresh installation of Windows 11 if they encounter difficulties.
