If you're the type of Windows user who loves fresh installations—whether you're upgrading to the newest feature update or setting up a shiny new machine—Microsoft's latest bug might throw a wrench in your plans. It turns out the Windows 11 24H2 update, which has been rolling out for the past few weeks, has an issue. Specifically, if you've installed it using a USB stick or another type of bootable media, you'll find yourself hitting a wall when trying to install subsequent updates. Let’s dive into the nitty gritty of what’s happening, why it matters, and how to avoid this unnerving glitch.
Here’s why this bug happens:
Here’s a practical game plan until that fix arrives:
Those who rely on USB installations should use the latest media—always. Beyond avoiding this bug, it can significantly cut down on installation time for updates post-setup.
For end-users, this incident serves as a stark reminder to approach feature updates with caution—especially during their initial waves of release. If you're planning to refresh your system with 24H2, consider holding off at least until Microsoft rolls out a patch for this USB update issue.
For the proactive among us, remember this golden rule: keeping your installation media up-to-date isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential, especially with how dependent systems have become on incremental patches for both security and features.
Windows 11 remains a robust OS, but reminders like these show that even the slickest products can face occasional turbulence. Hang tight, 24H2 users—better updates (literally) are surely on the horizon.
Source: heise online Windows 11 24H2 prevents new updates when installing via USB stick
The Problem: An Infected Start
Imagine this: you’re excited to wipe your device clean and install Windows 11 24H2 using your trusty USB stick. After putting in the setup time, you’re expecting your system to be as good as new and primed for Microsoft's regular updates to come rolling in. Unfortunately, there's just one snag—no further updates will install after this fresh setup. What you’re left with is a vulnerable OS that's unable to stay current, leaving security and compatibility concerns in its wake.Here’s why this bug happens:
- If the installation medium you use for Windows 11 24H2 includes updates from October 8, 2024, or November 12, 2024, the operating system becomes stuck. No additional updates—security, feature, or otherwise—can be applied post-installation.
- Microsoft has pinpointed this specific issue only with installation sources like USB sticks or other external media. This bug doesn’t rear its head if you update your OS directly from an existing version using Windows Update.
Patching Workarounds: Prevention Is Better than Cure
For those who've been caught in the crossfire of this glitch, there’s frustratingly only one suggested solution (and honestly, it’s not much of a "solution"): reinstall the OS entirely from updated media. Yep, you heard that right—starting over is the nifty workaround Microsoft recommends for now. The software giant has acknowledged the problem and promises to deliver a fix in the future, but let’s face it: "future" in tech can mean weeks, months, or never.Here’s a practical game plan until that fix arrives:
1. Re-Create an Installation USB Stick with the Latest Update
Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool continues to be your best bet. If you manually create a bootable USB drive containing the Windows 11 24H2 image paired with the December 2024 updates, you should bypass the problem. (Note the emphasis on “should.”)2. Avoid Installing with Older Media
If your installation USB includes updates from October or November 2024, you're practically loading the bug into your system from the get-go. Avoid these versions like malware.3. Stick to Windows Update for Now
If your goal is to upgrade an existing Windows installation, skip the USB stick entirely. Use the Windows Update feature to grab the Windows 11 24H2 update directly. This method doesn’t cause the same issue, ensuring smooth sailing for future updates.Those who rely on USB installations should use the latest media—always. Beyond avoiding this bug, it can significantly cut down on installation time for updates post-setup.
Bigger Picture: Why This Bug Is So Alarming
On its surface, this might seem like just a small technical hiccup—a trivial inconvenience for those ready to jump through a few hoops to fix it. However, if you consider the broader implications, Microsoft’s glitch raises several eyebrows about how they handle updates and quality assurance:- Security Risks: An un-updated system is a ticking time bomb for security vulnerabilities. Even a brief gap in regular patching leaves your computer open to exploitation by bad actors, especially with how creative ransomware and malware creators have become over recent years.
- Enterprise Chaos: For businesses deploying multiple devices or maintaining a large fleet of systems, relying on USB sticks for installation is a time-proven method. A bug like this could delay rollouts, cause significant downtime, and boost IT costs.
- Automation Overdependence: Microsoft has leaned heavily into automation for updates—a.k.a. Windows Update. Bugs like this highlight the flip side of such automation-heavy models: when they fail, users’ manual interventions are hardly intuitive or manageable.
What Does This Mean for Windows 11 Going Forward?
This particular issue is just one of several storms swirling around the release of Windows 11 24H2. While the feature update has rolled out on a massive scale to newer PCs, older systems are just catching up—and they aren’t doing so without friction. Most notably, Microsoft is already grappling with reported compatibility hiccups with Ubisoft games and even Microsoft Outlook. When bugs pile up this quickly, you can't help but wonder if quick rollouts are sacrificing reliability.For end-users, this incident serves as a stark reminder to approach feature updates with caution—especially during their initial waves of release. If you're planning to refresh your system with 24H2, consider holding off at least until Microsoft rolls out a patch for this USB update issue.
Final Thoughts: Play It Smart
Are you one of the unlucky users stuck in update limbo thanks to this bug? Unfortunately, your options are limited for now to reinstallation using updated media or—better yet—sticking to updates via Windows Update. While it’s frustrating, the silver lining here is that this bug has been acknowledged early on. A fix is in the works.For the proactive among us, remember this golden rule: keeping your installation media up-to-date isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential, especially with how dependent systems have become on incremental patches for both security and features.
Windows 11 remains a robust OS, but reminders like these show that even the slickest products can face occasional turbulence. Hang tight, 24H2 users—better updates (literally) are surely on the horizon.
Source: heise online Windows 11 24H2 prevents new updates when installing via USB stick
