It’s not every day that a Windows update takes center stage for all the wrong reasons, but the recently released Windows 11 24H2 update is causing quite the uproar among PC gamers—and for good reason. If you’re one of the many exploring "Path of Exile 2," logging countless hours grinding through mythical realms, there's a good chance this new update may put your hardware on a time-out. PCs locking up during gameplay or transitioning between areas? Yeah, that’s NOT what anyone signed up for. Let’s explore the train wreck and what you, dear reader, can do about it.
This isn’t just anecdotal grumbling either—other users around the globe have cited similar issues, putting this update directly in the crosshairs. The plot thickens with reports that 24H2 isn’t just misbehaving with Path of Exile 2. Ubisoft Connect and Microsoft Outlook users are also pulling their hair out over startup, syncing glitches, and general instability. Are we looking at another buggy release from Microsoft’s update assembly line? Buckle up—we’re diving in.
Let’s get science-y for a sec.
Warning: Disabling too many cores might lower game performance, so experiment to find a sweet spot.
So for now? Keep the update away from your rig if you haven’t installed it. And if you’re already a victim, your safest bet is to lean on the remedies above until proper fixes land. Hopefully, this shines a light on the importance of better QA (quality assurance) testing on Microsoft’s side for future updates.
For now, proceed with caution. Share your thoughts in the comments—how’s your system holding up with the 24H2 update? Have you noticed issues with other games or apps? Let’s fire up the conversation and help each other navigate these rocky update waters.
Source: The Outerhaven Windows 11 2H24 Update Is Causing Path of Exile 2 To Lock Up Your PC
What’s Happening, and Why?
Here’s the deal: The Windows 11 24H2 update seems to have brought with it an uninvited guest—a nasty bug that wreaks havoc on your system's performance while running Path of Exile 2. Players report that their PCs freeze completely, usually when transitioning to a new area in the game. The cause? System-wide CPU usage spikes to 100%, grinding the entire machine to an unresponsive halt. Worse still, no giveaway sounds like a loud fan kicking in, leaving users scratching their heads in despair.This isn’t just anecdotal grumbling either—other users around the globe have cited similar issues, putting this update directly in the crosshairs. The plot thickens with reports that 24H2 isn’t just misbehaving with Path of Exile 2. Ubisoft Connect and Microsoft Outlook users are also pulling their hair out over startup, syncing glitches, and general instability. Are we looking at another buggy release from Microsoft’s update assembly line? Buckle up—we’re diving in.
Path of Exile 2 and the "CPU Core Grab"
For hardcore Path of Exile fans, the problem is a heartbreaker. The glorious hack-and-slash RPG, which thrives on transitioning between richly crafted levels, depends heavily on your hardware to keep up with the intensity. With the 24H2 patch installed, the game ends up hogging all your CPU cores during transitions, leaving nothing for the operating system to maintain stability. Picture your gaming rig tapping out, defeated by the sheer greediness of system processes.Let’s get science-y for a sec.
- What's Going on Under the Hood?
When a Windows update interacts poorly with a game like Path of Exile 2, it's often related to how the operating system allocates resources like CPU threads and memory to applications. Modern CPUs use multi-threading technology, but mismanagement can result in bottlenecks. Here, the 24H2 culprit appears to allocate all available CPU threads to Path of Exile 2 during transitions, ignoring the needs of background processes. That’s a recipe for disaster—your PC doesn’t know how to balance its workload, so it locks up.
Mitigating the Madness: Practical Workarounds
If you’ve already installed the update and find your gaming sessions interrupted by the digital equivalent of “blue screen purgatory,” don’t despair just yet. Here are some workarounds to keep you in the game—literally.1. Roll Back the 24H2 Update
Microsoft offers a contingency for recently installed updates—a rollback feature that could save you. Here's how to get back to smoother gaming days:- Open Settings in Windows.
- Navigate to Recovery > Restore Recovery Point.
- Choose a restore point created before the update's installation—usually about a week or so back—and hit Revert.
2. Limit CPU Core Usage for Path of Exile 2
While not a perfect solution, you can partially tame the beast:- Launch Path of Exile 2.
- Use Alt + Tab to minimize the game.
- Open Task Manager and flip to the Details tab.
- Locate
PathOfExile.exe, right-click it, and choose Set Affinity. - Deselect 4–5 cores—start from the bottom—and click OK.
Warning: Disabling too many cores might lower game performance, so experiment to find a sweet spot.
3. Last Resort: Reinstall Windows 11
If neither of the above options fixes your issues, nuclear-level action is required:- Backup all your files using an external drive or cloud services.
- Format your hard drive and reinstall Windows 11. Opt for a clean install rather than recycling your current set-up.
Lessons from the Battlefield
This isn’t Microsoft’s first rodeo when it comes to problematic updates. Gamer or not, stories like this should remind you of core preventative measures every Windows user needs to take:1. Delay Updates by Default
Updates are an essential part of maintaining a secure, functional operating system—but bleeding-edge adoption isn’t always wise. Allow others (or Microsoft's internal team!) to beta test these updates before letting them affect your system.2. Use Restore Points Religiously
Set automatic restore points before major events, like Windows updates or software upgrades. They’re the adult equivalent of a Save Game backup—you don’t realize how much you need one until it’s too late.3. Stay in the Update Loop
Keep tabs on forums, communities, and websites (hey, like WindowsForum.com) where critical update issues are often flagged early.What’s Next from Microsoft?
At the time of writing, Microsoft has confirmed their awareness of issues accompanying the 24H2 update but hasn't provided a timeline for the fix. Let’s be real: Patch turnarounds can take weeks or months, especially with the holidays throwing a wrench in global workflows.So for now? Keep the update away from your rig if you haven’t installed it. And if you’re already a victim, your safest bet is to lean on the remedies above until proper fixes land. Hopefully, this shines a light on the importance of better QA (quality assurance) testing on Microsoft’s side for future updates.
Why This is Important Beyond Path of Exile 2
Finally, these issues aren’t exclusive to Path of Exile 2. Games are often early indicators of deeper system bugs due to their demanding nature, so don’t dismiss this as “just a gamer issue.” The same code flaw could disrupt other intensive applications down the line—anyone rendering 4K video or crunching data should be wary too.For now, proceed with caution. Share your thoughts in the comments—how’s your system holding up with the 24H2 update? Have you noticed issues with other games or apps? Let’s fire up the conversation and help each other navigate these rocky update waters.
Source: The Outerhaven Windows 11 2H24 Update Is Causing Path of Exile 2 To Lock Up Your PC
