7 reasons to avoid the latest Windows 11 update (hint: they're all bugs)

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

After months of beta testing, Microsoft has officially released its major 2024 update for Windows 11. Known as Windows 11 24H2, the latest version enhances the Copilot AI, spruces up File Explorer, promises faster performance and greater stability, and kicks in other improvements.

Also: Microsoft blocked your Windows 11 upgrade? This tool can fix that

With the update now rolling to all Windows 11 users, you may find it popping up in the Windows Update screen on your PC. If so, you can certainly install it from there. Otherwise, the new version is accessible on Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page where you can grab it through the Installation Assistant, through installation media, or as an ISO file.

But wait. Before you dive into the 2024 update, you may want to reconsider. That's because the new version comes with an array of bugs that could prevent you from fully using Windows the way you want and expect.

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Most of the glitches have been documented by Microsoft or reported by Windows users. Though no one bug is a show-stopper on its own, collectively, they present a good reason for holding off on this latest update until Microsoft can fix them.

Here are just some of the issues you may bump into if you jump to the new version.

1. System File Checker bug

Known as SFC, the Windows System File Checker scans your drive for corrupted system files and attempts to repair or replace any that are problematic. Running the command sfc /scannow at a prompt kicks off the scan. If any corrupted files are found, SFC automatically fixes them. Run the scan again, and your system should now get a clean bill of health.

But with the Windows 11 2024 update, the System File Checker gets caught in a loop of false positives. No matter how many times you run the tool, it will tell you that it found and fixed corrupt files. Testing the bug, the folks at Windows Latest discovered that the SFC scan sees the hash values for certain WebView2-related files as a mismatch with the expected values. That's why these files are incorrectly tagged as corrupted. Until this glitch is fixed, the File Checker is of little use in the latest update to Windows 11.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

2. Cache file deletion glitch

The Windows 11 2024 update leaves behind an 8.63GB update cache that you seemingly can't delete through the usual removal methods. As evidence, the amount of free space on your hard drive fails to change after you try to delete this cache. However, Microsoft has confirmed that this is a reporting bug. Choosing the option for "Windows Update Cleanup" when running Disk Cleanup does actually remove the cache. The cleanup tool mistakenly reports the freed-up disk space as still available for cleanup.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

3. Conflict with Easy Anti-Cheat online gaming app

A program known as Easy Anti-Cheat is automatically installed with some online games to prevent cheating. But Windows 11 2024 doesn't play well with this software as users can experience the dreaded Blue Screen of Death, at least in rare cases, according to Microsoft.

Also: You can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it

Only devices with Intel's Alder Lake+ processors and vPro platform are affected. Microsoft is working with the developer of Easy Anti-Cheat to resolve the glitch. Until then, those of you who run this app on PCs with the affected Intel chip should be aware of the conflict.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

4. Blue screens in other instances

Beyond the clash with Easy Anti-Cheat, other situations can lead to the Blue Screen of Death in the Windows 11 2024 update. Intel and Microsoft have discovered incompatibility issues with certain drivers for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) on Intel 11th Gen Core processors. People running the affected driver and Windows 11 24H2 could run into blue screens. Sources told Windows Latest that Microsoft is reportedly aware of a glitch in the 24H2 update that causes blue screening for PCs with certain Western Digital SSDs.

Alyson Windsor/ZDNET

5. Disappearing mouse pointer

A bug in Windows 11 24H2 and other recent Windows updates causes the mouse pointer or cursor to vanish in Chromium-based apps such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, according to Windows Latest. The glitch only occurs when you interact with a text input field, though there is a workaround for it, which Windows Latest describes in its article.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

6. Internet connection issues

Some people who've installed the Windows 11 2024 update report that their internet connections are now glitchy. As discovered by Windows Report, people seem to be able to connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, but they don't receive a valid IP address and therefore can't get an internet or network connection. Neither updating drivers and firmware nor resetting the network connectivity resolves the problem.

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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

7. Fingerprint sensor glitch

After updating to Windows 11 24H2, the fingerprint sensors on a limited number of PCs may become unresponsive, according to Microsoft. If you lock the device and then try to unlock it with a fingerprint scan, the authentication fails and you have to choose a different method to sign in.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

These are just some of the glitches plaguing Microsoft and its users with the Windows 11 2024 update. Microsoft has listed several others on its Known Issues and Notifications page.

I installed the update on a test Windows 11 PC and have encountered a few of the bugs described here as well as others. A calendar and contact syncing program I use called Sync2Cloud won't run in Windows 11 24H2. Two driver updates from Intel keep failing when I try to install them. Connecting to the PC using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection doesn't always work the first time around.

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Some conflicts and problems are unfortunately to be expected when Microsoft rolls out a major new Windows update. Even with widescale beta testing, not every potential problem is going to be found. But issues like these are still frustrating for those of us who need to use Windows for work and other tasks.

The number of bugs in Windows 11 24H2 may not be any worse or better than past annual Windows updates. But some of these could certainly prevent you from using your computer as you normally would. Until all or most of these bugs can be squashed, I advise Windows 11 users to hold off on the 2024 update and stick with your current version.