In a notable shift, Microsoft has decided to halt the automatic deployment of Windows updates for PCs that host a selection of Ubisoft games. This decision comes in response to a series of compatibility challenges reported by users, particularly concerning popular titles such as Star Wars Outlaws, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Compatibility Concerns Prompt Action
The Windows 11 24H2 update, which has been under testing for most of 2024, began its rollout to users last month. However, many gamers who embraced the update soon encountered a range of instabilities with various Ubisoft games. Reports indicated issues such as startup failures and frequent crashes, prompting Microsoft to take notice.
In light of these challenges, Microsoft is actively investigating the situation and has paused automatic updates for Windows machines with specific Ubisoft titles installed. The company has also advised players to refrain from manually updating their systems until a resolution is established.
According to Microsoft’s known issues documentation for the 24H2 update, the following Ubisoft games are identified as potentially problematic:
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Ubisoft’s Response and Workarounds
In parallel, Ubisoft is working on addressing these issues from its end. The latest patch for Star Wars Outlaws offers a temporary workaround for those who have already transitioned to the 24H2 update. However, the patch notes caution that this solution is not fully optimized and may still lead to performance and stability concerns until a more permanent fix is implemented.
For those affected, the most prudent course of action appears to be avoiding the 24H2 update altogether, a task made simpler now that Microsoft has intervened to prevent unintentional automatic updates. If users find themselves grappling with the update and its associated gaming issues, rolling back to a previous version of Windows through a fresh installation remains a viable option, especially as a definitive fix from either Microsoft or Ubisoft does not seem to be on the immediate horizon.
