Microsoft is blocking Windows 24H2 upgrades on systems with incompatible Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) audio drivers due to blue screen of death (BSOD) issues.
Intel SST is an integrated audio DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that handles audio, voice, and speech interactions on devices with Intel Core and Intel Atom processors.
The company said in a new entry on the Windows health dashboard that the affected driver "is listed under System Devices in Device Manager and is found with the file name 'IntcAudioBus.sys'. If this file is version 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152, this issue can occur."
"Only 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 affected by this issue," it added.
Redmond has also added a compatibility hold to block the Windows 11 2024 Update from being offered on systems with incompatible Intel SST audio drivers (the safeguard ID is 51876952).
Customers are advised not to manually update to Windows 11 24H2 using the Media Creation Tool or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant if their devices are affected by this known issue, which can lead to system instability and BSOD errors.
Workaround available
Impacted Windows 11 users might work around this issue by updating their Intel SST drivers to versions 10.30.00.5714 and later or 10.29.00.5714 and later via Windows update.
If they cannot find an updated driver that addresses this issue, they must contact their device manufacturer (OEM) for more information.
"Please note that later versions of this driver might refer to only the last part of the version number. For the purpose of addressing this issue, 10.30.x versions are not newer than 10.29.x versions," Microsoft warned.
It's also worth noting that if no other safeguard holds are in place for your device, it can take up to 48 hours before upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, which is possible after updating the drivers.
Other compatibility holds block Windows 11 24H2 upgrades from being offered on systems running the Asphalt 8 (Airborne) game and the Easy Anti-Cheat application.
The company also added Windows 24H2 upgrade blocks on devices with the Safe Exam Browser application (ID 49562592), some fingerprint sensors with incompatible firmware (ID 52796844), and wallpaper customization applications (ID 52754008).
Comments
KeiFeR123 - 1 month ago
Gaming Performance and BSOD..what else?
I think 24H2 is not ready for rollout yet.
They should pull it back, fix it and re-release it.
MorbiusCat - 1 month ago
More updates more problems, Microsoft's Update team seems to be in an awful RUT, 9 months of Patch Tuesday Updates with 9 months of secondary issues created by poorly developed updates. This whole use the active user base as beta testers thing is for the birds.
Anybody listening??
Now they release another MAJOR update after nearly 11 months of development and its crashing systems and not working on some systems that are nearly 3 years old. Egad.
dengelkes - 1 month ago
It is Microsoft way of saying to buy a new computer or laptop.
dontbejeff - 1 month ago
Why should we blame Microsoft? They aren't Intel, nor do they have every single laptop out there known to man. This is very specific, which means that only a small amount of people are affected.
If anything, this is on OEM manufacturers on not using standard drivers as it looks like Intel has made compatible drivers and Microsoft saying "contact the OEM" means that this is an OEM issue, not a Microsoft issue
DyingCrow - 1 month ago
Literally just disable that SST garbage bloatware in device manager, if you have it. All that does is create audio issues.
It cannot be uninstalled, so don't bother. "legitimate" malware, that's what it is.
noelprg4 - 1 month ago
WRONG!
just update the Intel SST drivers (which are used on certain Intel based laptops or some all-in-one desktops) to fix most of the audio problems.