Windows 11 installation media bug causes security update failures

Microsoft is warning of an issue when using a media support to install Windows 11, version 24H2, that causes the operating system to not accept further security updates.

The problem occurs when using CD and USB flash drives to install Windows 11 version with security updates released between October 8 and November 12.

"When using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates," Microsoft is warning.

"This occurs only when the media is created to include the October 2024, or November 2024, security updates as part of the installation," the company explains.

The bug does not impact security updates applied via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog website and does not occur when the latest December 2024 security update is used.

Microsoft is currently working on a permanent fix 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.

Windows 11 24H2 issues

The installation media issue is added to a long string of problems that impacts 24H2, the latest major feature update for Microsoft's operating system, which was released earlier this year to offer enhanced security, usability, and performance.

Previously, Windows 11 24H2 users were impacted by audio problems on Dirac devices or USB DAC sound systems, Outlook launch issues when using outdated Google Workspace Sync, Auto HDR causing game freezes and incorrect colors, and functional problems with USB scanners supporting the eSCL protocol.

Notably, the major Windows update caused performance problems, crashes, freezes, and audio glitches on a number of Ubisoft games, including popular titles like Assassin's Creed, Star Wars Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.

The Windows 11 24H2 update was even temporarily blocked on specific ASUS hardware and various other software/hardware configurations that caused problems.