Microsoft has taken a proactive step by blocking the rollout of Windows 11 24H2 upgrades on select systems due to identified issues that disrupt the gaming experience, particularly with Asphalt 8 and the Easy Anti-Cheat application. Gamers have reported that while engaging with Asphalt 8, the game may freeze or become unresponsive, necessitating a restart to regain functionality.
In a statement, Microsoft acknowledged, “After installing Windows 11, version 24H2, you might face issues with Asphalt 8 (Airborne). The game might stop responding with an exception while you are using or exiting it, and you will have to restart the game to recover from the exception.” This situation has raised concerns among users who rely on smooth gameplay.
Additionally, Microsoft is addressing an incompatibility between Windows 11 24H2 and the Easy Anti-Cheat application, which is commonly integrated into various multiplayer games to ensure fair play. The issues primarily affect devices equipped with Intel Alder Lake+ processors and the vPro platform. In rare instances, users may encounter system freezes or blue screens displaying the “MEMORY_MANAGEMENT” error when launching or playing certain games.
Notably, most affected systems running Windows 11 24H2 utilize Easy Anti-Cheat drivers that were released prior to April 2024. Microsoft suggests that updating games may alleviate some of these issues, provided the updates include a compatible version of Easy Anti-Cheat.
Safeguard hold to block Windows 11 24H2 upgrades
To further protect users, Microsoft has implemented two compatibility holds, identified by safeguard IDs 52796746 and 52325539. These measures are designed to prevent the Windows 11 2024 Update from being offered to devices running Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 that are affected by the aforementioned gaming issues. Customers are advised against manually upgrading their systems using the Media Creation Tool or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant until these known issues are resolved and the safeguards lifted.
Microsoft elaborated, “If you are trying to install Windows 11, version 24H2 through the media creation tool and your device has incompatible drivers, you will receive a pop-up message alerting that your device is not ready for this new version of Windows.”
The company is actively working on a fix for the known issues related to Asphalt 8, which is expected to be included in an upcoming update. In a related development, Microsoft recently addressed another known issue that led to reboot loops, system freezes, and connectivity failures with USB and Bluetooth devices following the installation of the September 2024 KB5043145 preview update on Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 systems.
