Windows 11 24H2 Update: 12 Major Bugs to Consider Before Upgrading

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Let’s face it—every major Windows update comes with its fair share of headaches, hiccups, and heartaches. But Windows 11’s latest 24H2 release could easily win a “Bug Olympics” gold medal. Whether you’re a seasoned power user, a gamer, or just someone who doesn't want your PC acting like a rebellious teenager, there are some compelling reasons to delay hitting that “Update Now” button. Let’s unpack this one bug-filled suitcase and understand why the update is starting to resemble an untested beta release more than the polished evolution of Windows 11.

The Bugs That’ll Make You Think Twice​

Here’s a grim spotlight on the 12 biggest culprits ruining the experience for early adopters of Windows 11 24H2:

1. Return of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

Yes, the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) rears its ugly head once again. After installing the update, users with older processors—even those officially supported—have reported cryptic error codes like “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR.” Even systems equipped with newer Ryzen or Intel Core chips have sporadically crashed into the blue abyss.
  • Why it happens: Likely tied to compatibility bugs in underlying kernel changes or improper driver updates for aging hardware.
  • Pro Tip: If you're already affected, create a BIOS update or reinstall faulty chipset drivers manually—though, this is only a workaround until Microsoft acts.

2. Performance Degradation

Irony Alert: Instead of the touted performance boosts, many users are complaining about sluggishness. Applications load slower, multitasking feels clunky, and even routine tasks (think web browsing!) demand extra patience.
  • Affected Devices: Reports are consistent across low-end laptops to high-end gaming PCs. Early benchmarks show some systems losing nearly 10% of application performance.

3. Gamers Beware: Performance Hits

For PC gaming enthusiasts, this update is essentially a juggling act of dropped frame rates, game crashes, and stutters. Graphically demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 struggle to deliver smooth performance post-update. The gaming subreddits are ablaze, especially since it’s holiday season—a prime time for multiplayer marathons.
  • Possible Explanation: Graphics drivers may not yet be fully optimized for the kernel-level changes in 24H2. Nvidia and AMD users alike are facing these pains.
  • Partial Fix: Look out for emergency GPU driver updates—or revert to older GPU drivers.

4. Installation Fiascos

Your installation journey for 24H2 might not even start smoothly. Failed updates, endless spinning wheels, and rollback errors are being increasingly reported. For users on metered internet connections, having to download it all over again makes this doubly frustrating.
  • What You Can Do:
    • Back up your data and create a restore point.
    • Ensure your internet connection is rock steady.
    • Be ready for the possibility of reverting to Windows 11 22H2.

5. File Explorer Mayhem

File Explorer, arguably the backbone of Windows navigation, is acting more like a clunky hinge right now. Laggy responses, crashes when dragging and dropping, and even potential data loss during file operations have been reported.
  • Real-World Troubleshooting: Running sfc /scannow in Command Prompt or resetting File Explorer defaults might temporarily fix some glitches.

6. Taskbar & Start Menu Glitches

What is arguably the most visible part of Windows—your friendly Start Menu and Taskbar—is riddled with bugs. Whether it’s Start freezing completely, icons disappearing, or both elements becoming unresponsive, this update has certainly disrupted the workflow of many users.

7. Printer Problems—Again

Given Windows’ historical love-hate relationship with printers, it’s no surprise that 24H2 introduces fresh printing nightmares. Errors include drivers failing to register, hanging print queues, and devices losing connectivity altogether.

8. Audio Crackles or Total Silence

The update seems to have severely disrupted audio quality, with users experiencing anything from odd crackling sounds to no output altogether. This bug is particularly annoying for those reliant on audio for work (like video editors or podcasters).

9. Network Instability

Frequent drops, slow speeds, and troubles connecting to Wi-Fi join the long list of complaints. More disturbingly, VPN users are seeing disconnections every few minutes.

10. High CPU Usage

Many have noticed abnormal CPU usage spikes, even when the system is idle. Left unchecked, this can lead to overheating (not to mention diminished battery life for laptops).

11. Third-Party App Mutinies

Certain apps—especially creative tools or intensive productivity suites—have started crashing or hanging. This could be a sign of APIs behaving differently post-update.

12. The Unexpected “You’re Not Eligible Anymore!” Error

In a bizarre twist, users are greeted with errors indicating their “system doesn’t meet Windows 11 requirements.” Imagine booting up a previously supported system to find out you’re inexplicably disqualified.

Should You Upgrade to 24H2 or Hold Off?​

Here’s the deal: No major OS update is completely smooth during its first rollout. However, Windows 11 24H2 raises more red flags than usual.

If You Must Upgrade:

  1. Take Precautions:
    • Ensure all drivers are updated beforehand.
    • Perform a full system backup.
    • Install optional updates only during off-hours.
  2. Keep Your System Safe:
    • Enable System Restore.
    • Pause updates in case a fix is released in the coming weeks.

Brace Yourself for Fixes​

The good news? These issues haven’t gone unnoticed. Microsoft has a history of patching critical bugs quickly, especially those that disrupt core user experiences. Here’s hoping that cumulative updates in January 2025 address most of these issues.
For now, hit pause—because when you think about it, is shiny new software truly worth an unstable computer? Keep an eye out for rolling patches, and most importantly, share your experiences so others can learn whether to embrace or bypass the current chaos of Windows 11 24H2.
Got specific questions or stories about this buggy update? Drop a comment on WindowsForum.com, and let’s troubleshoot this together.

Source: PC-Tablet New Windows 11 24H2 Bug List: 12 Reasons to Avoid This Update (For Now)