Microsoft Details Compability Issues Blocking Upgrades to Windows 11 Version 24H2

Yesterday, Microsoft made Windows 11 version 24H2 available on non-Copilot+ PCs, but this public rollout come with some asterisks. While it’s possible to force the manually install the update using the official ISO, Microsoft’s Installation Assistant tool, or the Windows Insider Program, the public rollout via Windows Update will only start in the coming weeks.

As usual, Microsoft will prioritize users who have the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle set to On in Windows Update. However, the company also detailed on the Windows Health Dashboard six different safeguard holds that will block the installation of Windows 11 24H2 on some devices running previous versions of the OS.

Here are the different compatibility issues that led Microsoft to implement upgrade blocks:

Safe Exam Browser app versions 3.7 or older: This tool used for verifying the integrity of a Safe Exam Browser installation on Windows may fail to open on Windows 11 version 24H2.

Easy Anti-Cheat application: Easy Anti-Cheat is automatically installed with some multiplayer games, and Microsoft will be blocking the update on devices running incompatible Easy Anti-Cheat drivers. The company said that this should only affects devices with Intel’s Alder Lake+ processors and vPro platform, and that updating games might help address this issue if a compatible version of Easy Anti-Cheat is also included.

Fingerprint sensors: Some devices with fingerprint sensors may have an issue with these sensors becoming unresponsive after locking the device, which would make Windows Hello fingerprint recognition unusable. The resolution of this issue will require new firmware updates.

Wallpaper customization applications: Some wallpaper customization applications might not launch or function correctly on Windows 11 version 24H2. While Microsoft didn’t share a list of affected applications, the company said that installing the latest versions of these wallpaper customization apps might help to remove the compatibility hold on affected devices.

Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers: Devices with both an Intel 11th Gen Core processors and an Intel SST driver version of 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152 are may receive an error with a blue screen after upgrading to Windows 11 version 24H2. The compatibility hold can be removed by updating the Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers to version 10.30.00.5714 and later, or 10.29.00.5714 and later, which should be available via Windows Update.

Asphalt 8 Airborne: This Microsoft Store game is buggy on Windows 11 version 24H2. Users should be able to remove to upgrade block by uninstalling the game.

While Microsoft is working with its partners to solve these compatibility issues, the company recommended affected users to not force the installation of Windows 11 version 24H2 on their devices until they are resolved. Microsoft is using reliability metrics and other data to determine when the latest version of Windows 11 can be safely installed, and it won’t appear in Windows Update if Microsoft detects that your device may have an issue.