Microsoft Cautions Millions of Windows Users: Avoid Installing This Update on Your Computer
Republished on December 28 with additional reports into a new update warning.
Microsoft has acknowledged an unusual warning for Windows users upgrading their computers. Making a simple mistake could potentially leave your computer in a state where it won't accept further Windows security updates. This could be particularly troublesome given the confusion it may bring about.
As reported by Windows Latest on Christmas Day, using a USB or drive to install Windows 11 24H2 with the October 2024 or November 2024 security updates included might disrupt Windows Update. By default, Windows 11 24H2 is distributed without the October or November security patches.
According to Microsoft's documentation, when using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it won't accept further Windows security updates. This happens exclusively when the media is created to include the October 2024, or November 2024, security updates as part of the installation (these updates were issued between October 8, 2024 and November 12, 2024)... This only occurs when using media - such as CD and USB flash drives - to install Windows 11, version 24H2. This issue does not arise for devices where the October 2024 security update or the November 2024 security updates are installed via Windows Update.
Nonetheless, this presents a puzzling way to spend Christmas Day, catching up on belated security updates, only to find yourself in something of a frozen update state. Windows Latest attributes the issue to the way users might create their Windows 11 external media copy to install the OS with newer updates.
Microsoft continues to find itself in a quandary with Windows 11. The stats continue to remain stubbornly against it, as hundreds of millions of users opt to stick with Windows 10 on their PCs. And to compound the messy situation, conflicting media reports suggest that the company may or may not be relaxing its hardware hurdle for the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11. It is not.
Initially, it was believed that only a small number of users would be affected. Microsoft informed Windows Lates that “the company is aware of these reports and that they only affect a very small number of PCs... What can you do if you’re unable to install new cumulative updates after installing Windows 11 24H2? You’ll need to download the Media Creation tool, create a fresh media file, and reinstall the OS.”
However, two days after the initial report, it has sparked some interest, suggesting that either more users than first thought might be affected or it has added to the unfortunate Windows 11 narrative that Microsoft is wrestling with. According to Bleeping Computer, “Microsoft is currently working on a permanent fix... The installation media issue is yet another in a long string of problems affecting 24H2, the latest major feature update for Microsoft's operating system, which was released earlier this year to offer enhanced security, usability, and performance.”
As The Register explains, “according to Microsoft's marketing for its flagship OS: 'Your Windows 11 PC brings layers and layers of security measures to help keep your digital life in safe hands—yours... Unfortunately, for some users, what it does not bring are security updates. While Microsoft's marketing and compatibility requirements for Windows 11 might imply that the security situation is all tickety-boo, the reality for the operating system and much of the rest of the software world is that a relentless stream of updates is required to keep out the miscreants.’”
A series of such update and upgrade issues have plagued the tech world in recent weeks. Certain brands of PC or PCs with certain software installed being removed from update lists due to software conflicts causing crashes or worse. It hasn't been a smooth ride.
2025 is a critical year for Windows 11, with its more popular older sibling scheduled to hit end-of-support in October. Yes, users can now opt to pay Microsoft $30 to extend security support for 12-months, but there are hundreds of millions of holdouts so far reluctant to budge, and many that cannot given they fail the hardware test. In total, Microsoft will want this all resolved swiftly. “Microsoft is currently working on a permanent fix,” Bleeping Computer reports, “and recommends that media-based Windows 11 24H2 installations use the December 2024 security update, released on December 10, to avoid encountering subsequent updating problems.”
- Due to the end of life for Windows 10 in 2025, many users are considering upgrading to Windows 11, but Microsoft has issued a warning about potential issues with installing Windows 11 24H2 using media that includes the October 2024 or November 2024 security updates.
- Microsoft's warning comes after reports of users encountering issues with Windows Update after installing Windows 11 24H2 using such media, leaving their computers in a state where they won't accept further Windows security updates.
- This could be particularly problematic for Windows 10 users who plan to upgrade to Windows 11 before the end of their OS's life, as they may miss out on important security updates.
- Users who have already encountered this issue can avoid further problems by downloading the Media Creation tool and reinstalling Windows 11 24H2 using the December 2024 security update, as recommended by Microsoft.
