Windows 11 Update 24H2 Causes Assassin's Creed Origins Crashes

Picture this: you’re embarking on an epic journey through the sun-drenched dunes of Ancient Egypt, armed with a blade, a bow, and your wits as Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins. You’ve been waiting all week to dive in—only to find the game stuttering, crashing, or refusing to load past the title screen. Rage rising, you turn to the internet, and voilà! You discover you’re not alone. It’s not just bad luck—your beloved game has fallen victim to a recent Windows 11 update.
Welcome to the bizarre and frustrating world of software and gaming colliding in the worst possible way.

What Happened?​

It seems Microsoft’s latest semi-annual feature update for Windows—Version 24H2—is the culprit that has rendered Assassin’s Creed Origins and several other beloved titles virtually unplayable. Reports are pouring in, with players experiencing constant freezes, crashes, and an inability to progress past the game’s splash screen. For a game as rich in its open-world adventure and stunning visuals as Assassin’s Creed Origins, this is downright tragic.
Adding salt to the wound, Ubisoft recently discounted Origins by up to 90%. Savvy gamers looking to capitalize on the sale are instead served with nonstop technical headaches. Talk about disappointing timing.
The chaos has triggered a tsunami of negative reviews on Steam, knocking Origins from its previously stellar reputation down to a dreaded “mixed” category in recent player reviews.
And it’s not just Assassin’s Creed Origins—players of other AAA titles like Path of Exile 2 and Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader are reporting eerily similar issues. The bottom line? This isn’t merely a hiccup. This is a tech crisis.

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Why Is This Happening?​

Blame lies squarely in the shaky intersection between operating system updates and game engine compatibility. Microsoft’s Windows 11 Version 24H2 update introduced a wave of system-level changes—whether it’s tweaks to DirectX or low-level memory optimization—and these “improvements” appear to have blindsided many developers, whose games were built and optimized for older versions of Windows.

The Windows Update (24H2) Rundown​

For those unfamiliar, Windows 11 Version 24H2 is the latest major update Microsoft rolled out as part of its annual upgrade cycle that began in October. While it brought noteworthy features like minor UI improvements, under-the-hood changes to enhance performance, and security patches, it’s the latter two that appear to have caused havoc.
Many older or moderately optimized game engines (like the one powering Assassin’s Creed Origins) may depend on legacy DirectX features or nuanced timing mechanisms. If Microsoft made adjustments to areas of kernel-level functionality, GPU/CPU scheduling, or memory allocation routines, games not fully compliant with these changes could start glitching out. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a Windows update has invoked the wrath of the gaming community.

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Review Bombs Galore: Ubisoft Feels the Heat​

Angry gamers across the globe have turned to review-bombing as a last-ditch SOS. Furious comments on Assassin’s Creed Origins’ Steam page range from frustrated pleas for a fix to outright condemnation of both Ubisoft and Microsoft.
One reviewer fumed:

“The negative review isn’t based on my gameplay. I have not yet played the game because of some issues causing it to freeze 5 minutes into the game.”

Ouch.
Another was even harsher:

“This game is unplayable on Windows 10 as well as 11... Steam should pull this game from the store. Seriously.”

Adding to the frustration is the silence—or delay, in comparison—on Ubisoft’s part. Gamers are understandably livid, questioning why the company went ahead with a massive sale when the game is all but broken on the latest platform it’s supposed to run on. Ubisoft has yet to issue an official response at the time of writing.

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What’s Microsoft Doing About It?​

Microsoft appears to be aware of some performance hiccups caused by the 24H2 update, as the company maintains an official webpage dedicated to known issues and patch notes. However, it’s unclear whether Ubisoft’s games are already under investigation. With no fix yet rolled out, the gaming community is left simmering in frustration.

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What Can YOU Do About It? (For Now)​

If you’re itching to play Assassin’s Creed Origins but keep hitting crashes, there are a few steps you can try to mitigate the issues until Microsoft or Ubisoft solve the larger problem.

1. Roll Back the Windows Update​

One of the most drastic but effective moves is to roll back to a previous version of Windows before the 24H2 update was installed. Here’s how:

• Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Go Back.
• Follow the prompts to restore your system to an earlier build.

Bear in mind, this is a temporary fix and may not be practical for everyone.

2. Check Compatibility Settings​

Forced compatibility mode can sometimes resolve issues with older or conflicting games:

• Locate the game’s .exe file.
• Right-click > Properties > Compatibility Tab > Run in compatibility mode for Windows 10.
• Check “Run as Administrator” while you’re at it.

3. Update GPU Drivers​

Outdated graphics drivers are often a culprit when software quirks pop up. Make sure your Nvidia, AMD, or Intel graphics drivers are updated to their latest versions.

4. Tinker with Game Graphics Settings​

If the game somehow loads but runs poorly, try reducing graphics settings like shadows, anti-aliasing, and texture quality to see if stability improves.

5. Wait It Out​

Not the most satisfying advice, but patience may be your best friend right now as both Microsoft and Ubisoft work toward a patch.

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Broader Fallout for the Gaming Industry​

This situation raises questions with far broader implications for PC gaming. Why do Windows updates continue to break gaming experiences? One reason is the rapid pace of technological changes in software and hardware. Microsoft needs to push updates to keep its OS modern, secure, and feature-rich, but games designed on earlier frameworks are particularly vulnerable.
It also highlights the importance of robust communication between Microsoft, hardware vendors, and game developers. Developers need earlier access to incoming changes in Windows feature updates, and consumers deserve proactive support when these changes cause chaos.

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What’s Next for Ubisoft?​

Adding fuel to the flames, this crisis hits Ubisoft at a particularly sensitive moment. With financial challenges, internal restructuring, and whispers of a Tencent-backed buyout, Origins’ issues couldn’t surface at a worse time. And let’s not forget: their next big release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is slated to debut in mere weeks. If this isn't resolved soon, public trust in the studio could dwindle further.

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Our Take​

Seeing an acclaimed RPG like Assassin’s Creed Origins caught between Windows updates and corporate silence is a sobering reminder of just how fragile the gaming ecosystem can be. Both Ubisoft and Microsoft need to take ownership here—not only to placate outraged fans but to ensure that this type of incident doesn’t become the norm.
Gamers, what are your thoughts? Vent your frustrations, share your war stories, or let us know if you’ve found a temporary workaround for these crashing issues! Drop your comments below.

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Source: TheGamer Assassin's Creed Origins Is Getting Review Bombed After Windows Update Breaks Game