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ZDNET's key takeaways
- Microsoft has fixed a Windows 11 24H2 bug affecting facial scans.
- Impacted users are no longer blocked from installing 24H2.
- Three reported issues with 24H2 still need to be resolved.
Microsoft has squashed a long-standing bug in Windows 11 24H2 just as it prepares 25H2 for its official launch. Released on Sept. 18, the patch fixes a glitch between facial recognition and the integrated camera on Windows 11 PCs, an issue that was first reported almost a year ago on Oct. 18, 2024.
Specifically, this bug prevented people from using the integrated camera with Windows Hello facial recognition. This stopped users from running a facial scan to sign in to the Camera app, any app or service that normally supports facial scanning via Windows Hello, or any other app or device that relied on the integrated camera.
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With this bug a problem for almost a year, affected PCs were put on the block list, meaning they were unable to receive the Windows 11 24H2 update. With the issue now resolved, affected users should be able to snag the update, assuming no other glitches are preventing its installation.
"The safeguard hold has been removed as of September 18, 2025," Microsoft said on its Windows 11 24H2 known issues page. "Eligible devices with no other safeguard hold should now be able to install Windows 11, version 24H2 via the Windows Update release channel. Please note, it can take up to 48 hours before the update to Windows 11, version 24H2 is offered. Restarting your device might help it offer faster."
To update your PC if necessary, head to Settings and select Windows Update. Click the Check for updates button, and the 2024 update should present itself to be downloaded and installed.
Commedy of errors
Released in October 2024, Windows 11 24H2 proved to be a challenge for Microsoft and its users.
Almost from the get-go, the update was plagued by one bug after another, forcing the company to struggle to resolve many of them while blocking the update for affected users. The situation led to a virtual comedy of errors in which one series of patches would try to fix certain issues but instead introduced bugs of its own.
After almost a year of bug fixes, Microsoft has finally gotten a handle on most of the outstanding glitches. However, three reported problems remain.
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One issue affects certain Digital TV and Blu-Ray/DVD apps from playing protected content in Windows. This is a brand-new bug, having been reported less than a week ago on September 19. Microsoft says that it's working to resolve the issue in a future Windows update.
The second one triggers a blue or black screen error due to a conflict between Windows 11 24H2 and SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver, which provides encryption in certain security applications. This one was opened on April 4, 2025. Microsoft says that it's working with SenseShield to fix the problem.
The third centers on an incompatibility between Windows 11 24H2 and certain versions of drivers for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) on Intel 11th Gen Core processors, resulting in blue screen errors. This is the oldest reported bug yet to be resolved, reported on September 30, 2024. Here, Microsoft advises affected users to install newer versions of Intel's SST Audio Controller drivers before updating to Windows 11 24H2.
What about Windows 11 25H2?
As Microsoft works to fix the last of the Windows 11 24H2 bugs, it's also prepping the official release of Windows 11 25H2. Currently available as an RTM (Release to Manufacturing) build, this year's update could appear in October to match the timing of its predecessor last year.
Great, but will Windows users run into the same bug-induced challenges with the 2025 flavor of Windows 11? Microsoft has taken several steps to guard against that happening.
Also: Microsoft gives Windows 10 its penultimate update - but saves the best for Windows 11
First, the 25H2 installation package is smaller than that of previous versions. That's because Microsoft is replacing only the files that need to be updated rather than replacing all the system files.
Second, the company is using the same technology applied to regular Windows updates, meaning you'll restart your PC just once after the update has run.
Third, Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 share the same source code. The only difference is that any new features in the 2025 version are disabled in the 2024 version. With Windows 11 24H2 almost free of the many reported bugs that plagued it, the same should hold true for the 2025 edition.
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