Microsoft Forces Automatic Windows 11 24H2 Update on Pro and Home PCs

[AleksandarK]

Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 version 24H2 update is now in its final rollout phase and will soon be delivered automatically to millions of Home and Pro users around the world. As of May 2, 2025, any unmanaged device running Windows 11 versions 21H2, 22H2, or 23H2—or even Windows 10—will see the 2024 Update download in the background. After the download completes, users can choose when to install the update or postpone it by going to Settings, then Windows Update. This release introduces a variety of useful improvements. File Explorer search has become more intuitive, the Clock app now includes focus sessions to help you stay on task, and Snap Layouts provide greater flexibility when organizing open windows. If you own a Copilot+ PC, you will continue to receive additional AI‑powered features in stages; these releases start within the Windows Insider community and may differ depending on your device's processor and region.

Although automatic delivery makes it easier to stay current, devices with limited storage may struggle if the update files consume too much space. To avoid disruptions, Windows Update offers a four‑week postponement option. Should you need more time, you can use command‑line tools or adjust local policies to stop or block the update permanently. Microsoft has published a detailed list of known issues and safeguard holds alongside the rollout information. For example, Azure Virtual Desktop users who experienced App Attach failures will see those problems fixed, and Remote Desktop freezes caused by the January 2025 preview update have been resolved. At the same time, devices running certain Dirac Audio drivers, sprotect.sys applications, or outdated Easy Anti‑Cheat or Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers will not receive the update until compatible versions become available. Some wallpaper customization and camera‑dependent apps may also encounter temporary glitches while patches are prepared. IT administrators looking for programmatic access to update health data can use the Windows Updates API in Microsoft Graph. For immediate assistance with update issues, open the Get Help app or visit the Microsoft Support website.



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[_roman_]

my refurbished notebook which was bought maybe in past two months has a broken windows 11 pro 24h2 installation. Past 3 updates can not be installed, although it is on 24h2.
I plan to reinstall that lenovo notebook with standardised, common ryzen 4650u processor and standard components soon.

I expect lots of topics and news after this forced update. too bad it's not 1st of april regarding this news piece.

BTW, same update packages install flawless, same binaries, "fake" offline installer packages, install flawless without hassle on this desktop "gaming" only windows 11 pro. The installation dates back to may 2023.

 

[lexluthermiester]

At the same time, devices running certain Dirac Audio drivers, sprotect.sys applications, or outdated Easy Anti‑Cheat or Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers will not receive the update until compatible versions become available. Some wallpaper customization and camera‑dependent apps may also encounter temporary glitches while patches are prepared. IT administrators looking for programmatic access to update health data can use the Windows Updates API in Microsoft Graph. For immediate assistance with update issues, open the Get Help app or visit the Microsoft Support website.

So what they're really saying is that they're forcing an update on users while it still has known problems..

 

[Kwadratowicz]

After stabilizing linux I will go back to windows 10 ltsc (on second drive), Cause 11 ltsc is not the same, as 10, (I've got antivirus, and windows is needed for stability testing, and backup software, cause for home almost everything is working on linux.)
I hate windows . Especially 11. but 10 too. last user "friendly" was win xp, You could do anything .

 

[huggi]

Funnily enough, my Windows installation somehow borked itself last year and kept getting an error when it tried to update to 24H2 (I normally let it auto-update). Not that it matters now since I've switched to a Linux-only setup on my desktop but it would have been interesting to see if this forced update would have worked.

 

[Baru68]

I find it hilarious they respect the gaming industry enough to not conflict with easy anti-cheat, but if consumers don't want it too bad. I wonder if people like me with incompatible hardware for win11(10th gen intel) will still have it occupy storage space.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I wonder if people like me with incompatible hardware for win11(10th gen intel)

Wait, what? 10th gen is absolutely supported. Where do you get that? Hell, 9th, 8th and 7th gen are still supported.

Windows processor requirements Windows 11 supported Intel processors

This specification details the Intel processors that can be used with Windows 11 customer systems that include Windows products, including custom images.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

MS is trying to burn their already charred body even more... I want to see them try.

 

[bug]

my refurbished notebook which was bought maybe in past two months has a broken windows 11 pro 24h2 installation. Past 3 updates can not be installed, although it is on 24h2.
I plan to reinstall that lenovo notebook with standardised, common ryzen 4650u processor and standard components soon.

I expect lots of topics and news after this forced update. too bad it's not 1st of april regarding this news piece.

BTW, same update packages install flawless, same binaries, "fake" offline installer packages, install flawless without hassle on this desktop "gaming" only windows 11 pro. The installation dates back to may 2023.

I have seen this even on Win10. On my laptop updates will keep failing to install, until, all of a sudden, they would succeed.

 

[LittleBro]

The thing is, Windows 11 gets worse over time, not better. Even feature updates do break basic things that worked before.
At work, we're experiencing serious problems with USB to LAN Realtek network cards (chipset 8153) since several computers were forced to update from 23H2 to 24H2.
Already updated drivers from Realtek on all machines. No problems before update and no problems on machines that are still on Win10.

 

[Bloste]

my refurbished notebook which was bought maybe in past two months has a broken windows 11 pro 24h2 installation. Past 3 updates can not be installed, although it is on 24h2.
I plan to reinstall that lenovo notebook with standardised, common ryzen 4650u processor and standard components soon.

Try opening a console with admin privileges and running "dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions"

After doing that and rebooting, run "dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth" and "sfc /scannow"

That should fix most problems with stuck updates.

 

[Baru68]

Wait, what? 10th gen is absolutely supported. Where do you get that? Hell, 9th, 8th and 7th gen are still supported.

Windows processor requirements Windows 11 supported Intel processors

This specification details the Intel processors that can be used with Windows 11 customer systems that include Windows products, including custom images.

learn.microsoft.com

Idk, I went to upgrade(i5 10400F) to win 11 so i could have dx12 functionality and the install told me incompatible hardware . Maybe I'll try again this weekend, been almost a year since.

I thought it was odd. I remember thinking "I know it's not Alder Lake, but damn they're getting restrictive".

 

[Chomiq]

Wait, what is this about Windows 10 downloading update for Windows 11?

 

[Baru68]

Wait, what is this about Windows 10 downloading update for Windows 11?

Lol yeppers. Can only postpone for a month then it's going to occupy who knows how many GBs. Time to roll back to win7 lol. I'm sure there'll be some laborous way to remove it as with anything.

 

[bug]

Wait, what is this about Windows 10 downloading update for Windows 11?

It's how Win10 always upgraded to 11.

 

[_roman_]

Try opening a console with admin privileges and running "dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions"

After doing that and rebooting, run "dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth" and "sfc /scannow"

That should fix most problems with stuck updates.

Thanks I will do that. later: "dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions"

dism.exe and sfc.exe did not succeed for most commands available on the net so far.

The point about my laptop was. New official refurbisher microsoft license with new refurbisher installed microsoft windows 11 pro for a refurbish laptop. And it is broken by just doing updates. That laptop is just a resale with surface cleaning which is 4 years + few months old and out of the lenovo warranty thing.

edit: This will be funny when people are forced to create a microsoft email adress to just login their windows 11 home editions soon. I got myself fancy pancy windows 11 pro startup notification where I could choose how I get advertisement on a professional paid operating system. I barely use the operating system or the start menu or the settings menu. I have my 20 icons on desktop for gaming purposes and the few benchmark and system tools.

 

[Chomiq]

It's how Win10 always upgraded to 11.

So Disk Cleanup should easily get rid of it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Idk, I went to upgrade(i5 10400F) to win 11 so i could have dx12 functionality and the install told me incompatible hardware . Maybe I'll try again this weekend, been almost a year since.

I thought it was odd. I remember thinking "I know it's not Alder Lake, but damn they're getting restrictive".

Maybe that was a TPM or SecureBoot thing? If you use Rufus to create your Win11 install drive, you can apply bypasses. That requires a fresh install but will be worth it.

 

[QuietBob]

The article below details how to prevent this update from installing on client versions of Windows. Forcing Win10 users to upgrade in this way is a true d-move from MS

How to block Windows 11 24H2 if it is already downloading

How to block Windows 11 24H2 update if ilready downloaded and partially installed or it's not offered yet on your machine.

www.windowslatest.com

 

[TheDeeGee]

It's how Win10 always upgraded to 11.

Unless you have TPM 2.0 disabled in the BIOS.

I'm still on Windows 10 myself as last time i tried 24H2 in January all games stuttered, where as on Windows 10 they run all smooth.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I’m surprised they didn’t call the update 24H2 with Copilot+.

 

[Aquinus]

If you use Rufus to create your Win11 install drive, you can apply bypasses.

You don't need Rufus to enable the bypasses for TPM, SecureBoot, or other hardware requirements. They're just registry values that can be set up from normal installation media by opening a command prompt to open regedit as seen here. While we're on the topic, I'd like to mention that with the bypasses, Windows 11 will run just fine on my Sandy Bridge-E 3930k machine which is quite dated at this point.

 

[lexluthermiester]

You don't need Rufus to enable the bypasses for TPM, SecureBoot, or other hardware requirements. They're just registry values that can be set up from normal installation media by opening a command prompt to open regedit as seen here.

I know, but Rufus is easier for most people.

While we're on the topic, I'd like to mention that with the bypasses, Windows 11 will run just fine on my Sandy Bridge-E 3930k machine which is quite dated at this point.

True. I'm running 23H2 on my Vostro V131 with an I3-2310M and it runs perfectly.

 

[Kyan]

Well, I really need to kick me to try bazzite or something similar before Microsoft decide that I want W11.

 

[PixelTech]

Mores reasons to instantly change to SteamOS desktop when it releases.