Windows 11 24H2 Update: Promises of Improvement Meet Buggy Reality

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Windows 11 users anticipating smooth sailing with the latest Windows 11 24H2 update may need to pack a bit of patience—or an emergency life raft. Microsoft rolled out the much-awaited update, touting enhancements such as an improved Copilot AI, revamped File Explorer, better performance, and stability. However, as the update gains traction, so does a list of pesky bugs that seem to be putting Microsoft's slogan of "Do more with less effort" under some strain.
Let's break it all down: what's going wrong, what’s being fixed, and whether this latest chapter in the Windows saga calls for hitting the "Update Later" button.

🚨 The One Fix and Twelve Remaining Bugs​

Although Microsoft claims to have resolved an issue affecting certain Ubisoft games, there are still 12 known problems swirling about in Windows 11 24H2's orbit. Before diving into the eerie sea of glitches, let's look at what Microsoft got around to fixing:

Issue Resolved: Ubisoft Game Conflicts

Owned any Ubisoft hits like Star Wars Outlaws or Assassin’s Creed Valhalla? Some gamers found conflicts with Easy Anti-Cheat software triggering unreliable game performance. The January patch swiftly addressed this. Ubisoft enthusiasts, rejoice: the starships are flying, and the Assassins are back to their missions.
…But that’s where the resolved triumphs stop because there’s still a heap of unresolved digital chaos.

❌ The Major Bugs You Should Know About

Here’s where the story becomes alarming for those sitting on the fence about upgrading. These aren’t just minor nuisances—they could materially affect your day-to-day experience. Let's dissect the major bugs plaguing the update.

1. Future Updates Getting Blocked

  • What’s Happening? If you installed Windows 11 24H2 via external media like a CD or USB (rather than Windows Update), your device might be cursed to never take future updates, including security patches. Think of this as locking the front door to hackers only to leave the back door swinging in the wind.
  • Solution: Microsoft suggests reinstalling using fresh media or biding your time for a yet-to-be-released fix.

2. Auto HDR’s Mood Swings

  • Problem: Auto HDR, in its valiant attempt to beautify games, is causing some to sulk with color fidelity issues—or outright unresponsiveness.
  • Quick Fix: Just disable Auto HDR in display settings for now. Sometimes, less is more.

3. Easy Anti-Cheat Blue Screens

  • Scope: A rare yet drama-inducing issue where Intel’s Alder Lake+ processors paired with Easy Anti-Cheat software for some online games can summon the infamous Blue Screen of Death. Kudos to the developers for gifting users an “exciting” crash course in PC troubleshooting.
  • Workaround: None yet, but a solution is cooking in Redmond’s kitchen.

4. Random BSODs Across Intel and Western Digital Configurations

  • Events are worse for users running machines with Intel 11th Gen Core processors and Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) drivers. Additionally, WD SSD users and systems with MSI or Asus motherboards are also seeing crashes.

5. Mouse Pointer Gone AWOL

  • A bug causing mice to go Houdini in Chromium-based browsers (i.e., Chrome, Edge) when interacting with text input fields has baffled a growing pool of users.

INTERNET WOES 🛜 AND NETWORKING HEADACHES​

6. Internet Connectivity Issues

Recent reports suggest Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections are glitching out—not assigning proper IP addresses, leaving users offline. While some tech-savvy souls have dabbled with static IPs to restore functionality, no universal workaround exists yet.

7. Broken Network Sharing

Remember the days when Windows networking just worked? That nostalgia won’t help fix this problem. Network resources often fail to appear, making file and printer sharing a faint dream. A temporarily fix involves poking Function Discovery Resource Publication (FDResPub).

📅 TIME ZONE TROUBLES & CLIPBOARD MALFUNCTIONS​

If you're meticulous about time, then buckle up! Non-administrative accounts may find no option to adjust the time zone through Settings.
And what’s happening to Clipboard History? Users report that it insists on being “empty” even when it isn’t. While this might sound like a workplace metaphor, it turns functionality into frustration.

10. The Printer Dilemma

Upgrading may be disastrous if you run certain HP, Canon, and Brother printers on a Copilot+ ARM configuration. Simply put, printing capabilities are shot, leaving files stranded in limbo between your screen and physical pages.

🎧 AUDIO AND APP CRISES​

11. Audio Output Bug

Dirac Audio lovers, beware: systems featuring this advanced audio tech may find speakers and headsets refusing to play sound after upgrading. A patch is still in the works.

12. Google Workspace Sync Knockout

  • Symptom: With this bug, Google Workspace Sync users face an error loop rendering Outlook unresponsive.
  • Fix: Update to the latest Workspace Sync version, or prepare to grin and bear it.

The Big Question: Should You Update? 🤔

As enticing as faster performance, Copilot upgrades, and new features sound, this update has amassed more gremlins than a Windows 98 nostalgia session. Until the smoke clears, holding off might be the smartest move, especially for production environments.

Your Best Move Right Now: Advice from the Trenches

  • Backup First, Update Later: If you're tempted to try 24H2, clone your drive or set a restore point.
  • Monitor Microsoft's Known Issues Page: Bugs can disappear just as quickly as they appear, but it pays to keep an eye on updates.
  • Stick to Stable Versions: Unless you need cutting-edge features immediately, previous Windows 11 versions provide more predictability and fewer hiccups.

Wrapping Up: The "Not-Quite-Great” Update​

Every big update comes with hiccups, but Windows 11 24H2 feels like a surprising misstep for a company with decades of experience managing OS rollouts. While it aspires to improve user experience, the bugs flip the script. Unless you’re up for an adventure, many Windows users may prefer safe harbor over these potentially choppy digital waters. Let us know your thoughts—did the update sink or swim for you?

Source: ZDNET Windows 11 24H2 bug list updated: One fixed, 12 to go
 


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