Compatibility Issues with Windows 11 Update Affect Ubisoft Games
Recent reports indicate that a selection of Ubisoft titles, including Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, are experiencing significant issues on devices running the Windows 11 version update 24H2. In response to these complications, Microsoft has proactively blocked the upgrade for affected users.
Microsoft has acknowledged the challenges on its support site, revealing that certain Ubisoft games may become unresponsive during startup, loading, or even during active gameplay. Additionally, some users may encounter a frustrating black screen while attempting to play these titles.
To ensure a smoother experience for users, Microsoft has implemented a compatibility hold on devices with the problematic games installed. As a result, these devices will not be offered the option to install Windows 11, version 24H2 through the Windows Update release channel. The company has advised users against manually installing the update if they own any of the following games:
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
In a bid to alleviate some of the issues, Microsoft has rolled out a “temporary mitigation” for Star Wars Outlaws, which aims to prevent the game from becoming unresponsive. However, users should be aware that performance issues may still persist.
Both companies are collaborating to develop a comprehensive fix, with Microsoft promising to share further updates as they become available. In the meantime, users experiencing unresponsiveness in their games can follow this workaround:
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard, or by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Task Manager from the menu.
- In the Task Manager window, locate your game in the Processes tab. It may appear under the name of the game or the associated game launcher.
- Highlight the game’s name and click the End Task button at the bottom right of the window to close the game.
In related news, Ubisoft has recently announced improvements to Star Wars Outlaws, specifically addressing the often frustrating forced stealth sections. Following an update earlier this month, players can now engage in combat if caught while sneaking, rather than being sent back to the last checkpoint to restart the section. This change is expected to enhance the overall gameplay experience significantly.
