Windows 11 November Patch Tuesday: Key 24H2 fixes and security updates

Microsoft's November Patch Tuesday brings a focused mix of security patches and quality fixes that—for many users—will feel like cleanup duty after a rocky rollout of Windows 11 24H2; the cumulative updates (principally KB5046617 for 24H2 and KB5046633 for 23H2/22H2) resolve a clutch of high‑impact bugs (Task Manager reporting, WSL dev drive access, and intermittent black screens when using Alt+Tab), while also addressing multiple security issues including several zero‑day vulnerabilities.

Background / Overview​

Microsoft's monthly Patch Tuesday remains the single most important recurring maintenance event for Windows platforms: each release bundles security fixes, quality improvements, and, occasionally, fixes for regressions introduced by prior updates. November’s cumulative release is typical in that mix—security fixes anchored by quality-of-life and reliability repairs for Windows 11 24H2 and related branches. The headline KBs for this cycle are KB5046617 (Windows 11 24H2) and KB5046633 (Windows 11 23H2/22H2); applying these moves affected machines to updated build numbers and delivers both security and functional corrections. Why this one mattered: the 24H2 feature update had introduced a handful of user‑visible regressions that generated outsized attention because they impacted core interactions (Task Manager counts, Alt+Tab responsiveness, Disk Cleanup reporting). When a security rollup also contains such regressions, the incentive to deploy is high—but so is the need for IT teams to test, because rare side effects have been reported in specific configurations (notably update installation via media and some ARM scenarios).

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What Microsoft fixed: the major bugs, one by one​

Task Manager: wrong group counts in Processes (Group by Type)​

• The problem: after an earlier October non‑security preview (KB5044384), users found the Processes page in Task Manager would display group counts (Apps, Background Processes, Windows Processes) as zero when “Group by type” was enabled, even though processes were running. That made basic monitoring misleading and could hide real problems for administrators and power users.
• The fix: Microsoft lists a resolution in KB5046617; the November cumulative corrects the reporting so group counts reflect actual process totals. Enterprises that rely on scripts or dashboards that parse Task Manager output should validate those integrations after patching.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Dev Drive access​

• The problem: some WSL users reported inability to access their Dev Drive volumes from inside WSL, impairing coding workflows and containerized builds. This was particularly painful for developers using the new Windows Dev Drive feature for high‑performance project storage.
• The fix: KB5046617 contains a targeted correction that restores consistent access to Dev Drives from WSL sessions. Developers should still verify permissions and any virtualization tooling after applying the update.

Network connectivity: duplicate DHCP options breaking IPv4​

• The problem: a small number of devices could lose internet connectivity if a DHCP server’s response included duplicate DHCP options on certain networks—an edge case but one with an immediately visible user impact.
• The fix: KB5046617 patches the handling so that duplicate DHCP options no longer cause the IPv4 stack to drop the connection in affected configurations. Network teams should validate DHCP servers (and rogue DHCP appliances) in lab environments after deployment.

Alt+Tab black screen (partial or transient blackouts when switching)​

• The problem: after upgrading to 24H2, some users experienced a black screen or a multi‑second freeze when switching windows via Alt+Tab—this manifested for gamers and heavy desktop‑app users and was widely reported in forums and on social media.
• The fix and caveats: Microsoft addressed an Alt+Tab‑related black screen in the November cumulative (and some fixes had earlier arrived in optional October patches). For many users the issue is resolved, but community reports show that some hardware/driver combinations still experience symptoms until GPU driver updates or additional system updates arrive; monitor forums and vendor driver releases if the problem persists for any system.

Disk Cleanup miscount of free space​

• The problem: running Disk Cleanup could result in misleading free space calculations, leaving users puzzled about available storage after cleanups.
• The fix: improved calculations were included in the October/November rollups; users are advised to reboot after installation to allow storage subsystems and caching layers to refresh actual free‑space reporting.

Miscellaneous app and hardware issues (Voicemeeter crashes, fingerprint sensor, OpenSSH)​

• Additional targeted fixes include stability improvements for audio routing tools (notably reported Voicemeeter crashes), fixes for intermittent fingerprint sensor failures on lock/unlock, and guidance for an OpenSSH service start failure introduced by an earlier update. Microsoft documented an OpenSSH workaround (ACL adjustments) while investigating a more permanent resolution. Administrators using OpenSSH should test the service start behavior during staged deployments.

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Security: zero‑days and CVEs addressed​

Patch Tuesday’s security payload included fixes for vulnerabilities that were short‑term high‑priority items for both consumers and enterprise defenders.

• Microsoft fixed multiple zero‑day vulnerabilities in this cycle. Notably, the bulletin addressed an NTLM spoofing/hash exposure vulnerability (CVE‑2024‑43451) and elevation‑of‑privilege issues in components such as Task Scheduler and Active Directory Certificate Services (CVE‑2024‑49039 and CVE‑2024‑49019 respectively). These patches reduce the immediate risk of credential theft and privilege escalation in on‑premises environments.
• The update also closed Exchange‑related spoofing issues and other weaknesses being actively tracked by defenders. Given the presence of zero‑days (some with evidence of exploitation), organizations should treat these updates as high priority and follow standard patch‑and‑verify procedures.

Operational note: when Microsoft marks vulnerabilities as zero‑day or when there is evidence of exploitation in the wild, the standard guidance is to patch promptly—but in production environments that require stability, that normally means staged rollout with verification gates. Security teams should prioritize externally reachable services, identity infrastructure (AD, AD CS), and any systems that store credentials.

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Known issues and deployment cautions​

Applying these cumulatives is generally recommended, but Microsoft flagged several known issues and there are community reports that administrators need to weigh before sweeping enterprise deployments.

• Installation via media (USB/CD) on 24H2: Microsoft acknowledged a problem where installing Windows 11 24H2 from media that includes the October or November updates can leave the device unable to accept further security updates. The company’s remediation advice is to avoid creating installation media that pre‑applies the problematic October/November updates and to use Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog instead. Microsoft later closed the issue by recommending that media include the December update or later. If you deploy via USB images or provisioning media, validate those images and the update cycle carefully.
• ARM/Store app issues (Roblox): Microsoft noted that players on ARM devices may be unable to download and run Roblox via the Microsoft Store; the workaround is to download the game directly from the publisher until a fix is available. Organizations with ARM fleets should document this exception for user support.
• OpenSSH service start failures: an earlier October update led to OpenSSH failing to start for some customers. Microsoft provided a permissions‑based workaround (changing ACLs for ProgramData\ssh) while investigating; IT teams that use SSH for automation or secure admin access should test the service behavior post‑patch and prepare the ACL change if necessary.
• Persistent Alt+Tab complaints for some users: despite the official fix, community threads show that a subset of systems still experience black screens until additional updates (OS or GPU driver) are applied. That suggests that complementary updates (manufacturer drivers, firmware) are often required to fully resolve user symptoms.

Cautionary flag: anecdotal reports from forums can show variability. Where small subsets of configurations still report problems, those behaviors may be due to driver combos, custom display settings, or third‑party apps—these are not always reproducible in lab tests. Treat such reports as signals to test comprehensively rather than definitive proof that the update will break every machine.

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What IT teams and power users should do now​

• Prioritize patching externally exposed assets and identity infrastructure first (Domain Controllers, Exchange, AD CS), because the patched zero‑days and privilege escalation flaws target precisely those components. Apply KBs and security updates to those assets with urgency.
• Stage deployment for endpoints: use a phased rollout plan (pilot group → broad test → production), especially for 24H2 systems where regressions in user experience were visible. Validate Task Manager behavior, WSL Dev Drive access, and OpenSSH service startup in your test pool.
• Confirm update delivery path: avoid creating installation media that pre‑applies the October/November updates for 24H2 until images explicitly include the December cumulative or later; prefer Windows Update/Update Catalog or managed WSUS/Intune/Autopatch channels for controlled installations.
• Test peripheral and gaming workflows: if your organization supports gaming or high‑refresh multimedia workloads (labs, creative teams, game testers), verify Alt+Tab responsiveness and GPU driver compatibility after patching. If problems persist, coordinate with GPU vendors for the latest drivers.
• Back up critical systems and configuration: standard but essential—snapshots or system images let you rollback quickly if a rare regression shows up during staged deployment. Keep change windows and rollback playbooks ready.
• Communicate with users: prepare short support notes for your help desk describing the known issues (OpenSSH ACL workaround, Roblox on ARM, installation‑media caveat) so frontline staff can give accurate guidance.

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Deeper analysis — strengths, trade‑offs, and remaining risks​

Strengths: focused fixes for high‑pain regressions​

Microsoft’s November cumulative showed a positive prioritization: the update corrected regressions that affected everyday workflows (Task Manager, WSL, Alt+Tab). That demonstrates attention to quality issues that directly influence productivity and developer workflows, not merely low‑level hardening. The inclusion of servicing stack updates (SSUs) also helps ensure future update reliability.

Security posture: closing zero‑days rapidly​

Fixing multiple zero‑days in the same cycle is both necessary and fortunate; the corrected NTLM spoofing and the AD CS/Task Scheduler EoP issues remove critical attack vectors that could have been exploited for lateral movement and credential theft. For defenders, that reduces immediate attack surface and gives time to implement additional hardening controls.

Trade‑offs and risks: regressions and operational complexity​

However, the release also highlights a persistent trade‑off: shipping fixes rapidly can reveal new edge‑case regressions or interactions (for example, the USB/CD installation and update acceptance problem). When an OS update interacts badly with image‑based deployment pipelines or particular driver stacks, the operational cost for large fleets can be high. This argues for conservative image management and cautious adoption of media‑based installs across enterprises during volatile update cycles.

The “last mile” problem: driver and firmware dependencies​

The Alt+Tab reports illustrate an important reality: many end‑user symptoms are compound problems involving OS code, GPU drivers, and application behavior. A cumulative that fixes OS logic may still require hardware vendors to ship compatible drivers; until all components are updated, some users will remain affected. That complicates the support story and means IT teams need integrated test plans covering vendor drivers.

Residual uncertainty and unverifiable claims​

Many community reports are valuable early indicators, but they can’t always be reproduced. For anecdotal reports that a patch “didn’t fix” a problem, confirm the system build, driver versions, and presence of optional updates before concluding there remains a bug. Where public vendor advisories and Microsoft’s own documentation don’t align with forum reports, treat those reports as investigative leads rather than proven failures. Flagging these as unverified is the prudent approach.

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Practical checklist for administrators (concise)​

• Back up Domain Controllers, Exchange, and any identity stores before patching.
• Patch high‑priority servers first (internet‑facing services, identity infrastructure).
• Apply KB5046617/KB5046633 via managed channels (WSUS/Intune/Windows Update), avoiding pre‑applied media images that include the October/November rollups for 24H2.
• Pilot patches on a representative set of client machines; validate Task Manager, WSL Dev Drive, OpenSSH, and Alt+Tab behavior.
• Coordinate with GPU and device vendors for driver updates if UI/display issues persist.
• Keep known‑issue workarounds documented (OpenSSH ACL commands, Roblox ARM guidance) for support teams.

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Final verdict — where this Patch Tuesday lands​

The November cumulative (KB5046617 / KB5046633) is a pragmatic, necessary update set: it resolves meaningful user regressions introduced during the 24H2 rollout while also closing several urgent security holes. For most users and organizations the calculus is straightforward—patch promptly but do so in a controlled, tested way. The update cycle illustrates both Microsoft’s responsiveness and the complexity of modern OS release engineering: fixing one thing can reveal delicate interactions with deployment tooling, storage, display drivers, and app ecosystems.
IT teams should treat this cycle as a reminder of modern patch governance best practices: prioritize identity infrastructure, stage rollouts, test real workflows (not just boot/install), and coordinate with vendors for complementary updates. For users, installing the latest cumulative via Windows Update is the recommended path; if you rely on image‑based provisioning or run ARM devices, read the known‑issue notes and follow the documented workarounds until vendor patches close the remaining gaps. In short: the fixes matter, and they should be applied—but they must be applied wisely.

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Source: Neowin Here are the major Windows bugs resolved in the latest Patch Tuesday updates