Microsoft has halted the roll-out of its latest Windows 11 update on certain hardware due to a growing list of issues. Windows 11 24H2 is the second of two blockbuster releases from Microsoft each year, packed with new features and performance improvements.
But the roll-out of the new desktop operating system to the millions of PCs that run Windows 11 has not been smooth.
According to El Chapuzas Informatico, a Spanish-language technology blog, which has been closely monitoring the fallout, PCs fitted with a Intel Z890 motherboard seem to be the worst hit. The issue seems to stem from an apparent conflict between dedicated and integrated GPUs.
Microsoft Copilot — the ChatGPT-powered talkative assistant — can answer questions about your hardware, summarise lengthy emails, and rewrite your documents and adjust the tone
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PC owners who have been affected found their Windows 11 machines in an endless reboot spiral — unable to their device. Others have been confronted with the dreaded Blue Screen Of Death, or BSOD, so-named because of the iconic colour of the background on the error screen that appears when Windows has experienced a full system failure. However, the issue doesn't appear to only be linked to Intel hardware.
Motherboards from brands like MSI and Gigabyte also seem to be impacted by the Windows 11 24H2 glitch, El Chapuzas Informatico reports.
It's unclear whether the blame lies directly with Microsoft — and its new update — or whether Intel bears some responsibility too.
Fortunately, the widespread crashes don't seem to cause any permanent damage to the hardware. Windows 11 users who want to push ahead with the update report that entering the BIOS for the motherboard and disabling integrated graphics before proceeding will swerve any issues.
While it's good that Windows 11 users have unearthed this workaround, it's not a permanent solution and definitely not recommended for anyone who isn't confident with diving into the BIOS — or had to Google what BIOS meant. Microsoft will still need to release a patch to prevent further issues.
Regrettably, the motherboard crashes aren't the only glitch discovered in Windows 11 24H2.
Certain ASUS-branded laptops models, particularly the X415KA and X515KA models, have been stuck with Blue Screen of Death error screens following the update to the latest iteration of Windows.
Likewise, if you rely on the Voicemeeter app, opening the software after the update will also trigger a BSOD on your machine, and desktop PCs and laptops running Easy Anti-Cheat, which is required by popular games like Fortnite, the latest operating system update from Microsoft has been linked to system crashes. Yikes.
Laptops and tablets with integrated cameras — like built-in webcams for video calls — have also stumbled with the arrival of Windows 11 24H2, with object or face detection features no longer working properly. The bug purportedly impacts popular software like the default Camera app, Windows Hello facial recognition to login to your machine, and third-party apps that use the integrated camera for detection purposes.
Microsoft has temporarily blocked the Windows 11 24H2 update for all of the above. If your PC has been blocked by Microsoft, trying to install the latest version of the operating system in Windows Update will summon an error message and a link to "Learn More", with a list of the above glitches.
It's unclear how long it'll take Microsoft to work through the list of compatibility issues and relaunch Windows 11 24H2 for these machines.
If your desktop PC or laptop is blocked, Microsoft warns not to manually install the update on an affected devices, as it could lead to functionality issues with core hardware features like sound and biometric recognition.
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For those fortunate enough to be able to install Windows 11 24H2, it's a worthwhile upgrade.
The new update is packed with major upgrades and new features to boost productivity, security, and AI-powered capabilities. First, the Copilot AI assistant on compatible hardware can handle translations in real-time, improve voice clarity, and boost resolution for gaming on-device. File Explorer has finally added support for 7z and TAR compression formats, so there's no need to install a third-party apps for these common extensions.
Security has been tighten, with the new Windows Protected Print Mode and enhanced personal data encryption. The Start menu now syncs more easily with Android phones, and the Quick Settings area adds live captions and energy-saving options to conserve power. And Microsoft has added system-wide support for Wi-Fi 7, which offers a faster, more stable internet connection.
