CyberHappenings logo
☰
Home Browse About

Track cybersecurity events as they unfold. Sourced timelines. Filter, sort, and browse. Fast, privacy‑respecting. No invasive ads, no tracking.

Microsoft Lifts Multiple Windows 11 24H2 Safeguard Holds

First reported
Last updated
1 unique sources, 3 articles

Summary

Hide ▲

Microsoft has lifted multiple compatibility holds that previously prevented Windows 11 24H2 upgrades on devices with specific hardware and software configurations. The latest holds removed were for devices with SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver and wallpaper customization applications. Additionally, earlier holds were removed for devices with integrated cameras due to a face detection bug and for devices with Dirac audio software causing audio device detection issues. The issues affected systems with various software components, leading to problems such as blue or black screen of death (BSOD), desktop icon issues, and audio device malfunctions. Microsoft has released updates and new drivers to address these compatibility issues, allowing eligible devices to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 via Windows Update. Users may encounter warnings about potential incompatibilities during the upgrade process and are advised to update or uninstall problematic applications.

Timeline

  1. 17.10.2025 20:22 1 articles · 23h ago

    Safeguard hold for Windows 11 24H2 on devices with SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver removed

    Microsoft has lifted a compatibility hold that prevented Windows 11 24H2 upgrades on devices with SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver due to a known issue causing a blue or black screen of death (BSOD). The update block was removed on October 15, 2025, after the security.sys driver was updated to resolve the compatibility issue.

    Show sources
    Open in new tab
  2. 17.10.2025 20:22 1 articles · 23h ago

    Safeguard hold for Windows 11 24H2 on devices with wallpaper customization applications removed

    Microsoft has removed a compatibility hold added in September 2024 for wallpaper customization applications causing various problems with desktop icons, wallpapers, and virtual desktops. The safeguard hold was removed on October 15, 2025, allowing eligible devices to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 via Windows Update. Users may see warnings about potential incompatibilities during the upgrade process.

    Show sources
    Open in new tab
  3. 22.09.2025 19:56 1 articles · 26d ago

    Safeguard hold for Windows 11 24H2 on devices with integrated cameras removed

    Microsoft has removed a compatibility hold that prevented devices with integrated cameras from installing Windows 11 24H2 due to a face detection bug causing app freezes. The bug was fixed, and the update block was lifted on September 22, 2025. This allows eligible devices to upgrade via the Windows Update release channel.

    Show sources
    Open in new tab
  4. 15.09.2025 16:48 1 articles · 1mo ago

    Safeguard hold for Windows 11 24H2 on Dirac audio devices removed

    Microsoft has lifted the safeguard hold that prevented Windows 11 24H2 upgrades on devices with Dirac audio software. The hold was removed on September 11, 2025, and a new driver addressing the compatibility issues is available via Windows Update. The issue affected audio device detection and integrated speakers, traced to the cridspapo.dll component.

    Show sources
    Open in new tab

Information Snippets

  • The safeguard hold was initially implemented in December 2024 due to compatibility issues with Dirac audio software.

    First reported: 15.09.2025 16:48
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The issue affected systems with Dirac audio improvement software, causing problems with audio device detection and integrated speakers.

    First reported: 15.09.2025 16:48
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The incompatibility was related to the cridspapo.dll component of the audio processing software.

    First reported: 15.09.2025 16:48
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Affected users reported that Bluetooth headsets, speakers, and integrated speakers stopped functioning after the upgrade to Windows 11 24H2.

    First reported: 15.09.2025 16:48
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Microsoft has released a new driver via Windows Update that addresses the issue.

    First reported: 15.09.2025 16:48
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The safeguard hold was removed on September 11, 2025, allowing eligible devices to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2.

    First reported: 15.09.2025 16:48
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Microsoft has removed a compatibility hold that prevented devices with integrated cameras from installing Windows 11 24H2 due to a face detection bug causing app freezes.

    First reported: 22.09.2025 19:56
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The issues were triggered when using the Camera app, Windows Hello with facial recognition sign-in options, and other apps that utilize the integrated camera on affected PCs.

    First reported: 22.09.2025 19:56
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The update block hold (safeguard ID: 53340062) was added to prevent customers from installing the Windows 11 2024 Update on affected devices and has been lifted after Microsoft fixed the bug causing the compatibility issues.

    First reported: 22.09.2025 19:56
    1 source, 2 articles
    Show sources

  • Eligible devices with no other safeguard hold should now be able to install Windows 11, version 24H2 via the Windows Update release channel.

    First reported: 22.09.2025 19:56
    1 source, 2 articles
    Show sources

  • Microsoft has lifted multiple other compatibility holds since the start of the year, but Windows 11 24H2 upgrades are still blocked for devices with wallpaper customization software, incompatible Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) audio drivers, and SenseShield Technology code-obfuscation drivers.

    First reported: 22.09.2025 19:56
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Microsoft has lifted a compatibility hold that prevented Windows 11 24H2 upgrades on devices with SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver due to a known issue causing a blue or black screen of death (BSOD).

    First reported: 17.10.2025 20:22
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The update block for SenseShield Technology's sprotect.sys driver was removed on October 15, 2025, after the security.sys driver was updated to resolve the compatibility issue.

    First reported: 17.10.2025 20:22
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Microsoft has also removed a compatibility hold added in September 2024 for wallpaper customization applications causing various problems with desktop icons, wallpapers, and virtual desktops.

    First reported: 17.10.2025 20:22
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The safeguard hold for wallpaper customization applications was removed on October 15, 2025, allowing eligible devices to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 via Windows Update.

    First reported: 17.10.2025 20:22
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Users may see warnings about potential incompatibilities with desktop or wallpaper applications during the upgrade process.

    First reported: 17.10.2025 20:22
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Microsoft advises users experiencing issues with these apps after upgrading to update them, uninstall them, or contact the app developers for support.

    First reported: 17.10.2025 20:22
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

Similar Happenings

Windows 11 updates disrupt localhost HTTP/2 connections

Microsoft's October Windows 11 updates (KB5066835) and September's KB5065789 preview update have caused issues with localhost (127.0.0.1) HTTP/2 connections. Users are experiencing errors such as 'ERR_CONNECTION_RESET' or 'ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR' when attempting to connect to localhost. This affects various applications, including Visual Studio debugging, SSMS Entra ID authentication, and the Duo Desktop app. The issue also affects Windows Server 2025 systems and is linked to a bug in the HTTP.sys Windows-based web server for ASP.NET Core. Microsoft has provided a temporary fix via Known Issue Rollback (KIR) for non-managed business devices and most home users. IT administrators can resolve the issue on managed devices by installing and configuring a specific KIR group policy. A permanent fix will be included in a future Windows update.

Open in new tab

Microsoft Releases October 2025 Patch Tuesday Updates for Windows 11

Microsoft has released Windows 11 cumulative updates KB5066835 and KB5066793 for versions 25H2/24H2 and 23H2. These updates address security vulnerabilities and various issues. The updates are mandatory as they include the October 2025 Patch Tuesday security patches. The updates fix several issues across different components, including browsers, gaming, PowerShell, Windows Hello, and more. Additionally, new features and improvements have been introduced, such as enhanced AI actions in File Explorer and improved accessibility features in Narrator. The updates also mark the second-to-last update for Windows 11 23H2, as its support ends in November 2025.

Open in new tab

Windows September 2025 updates cause SMBv1 share connection issues

Microsoft's September 2025 Windows security updates have introduced a known issue affecting connections to Server Message Block (SMB) v1 shares over the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) protocol. This issue impacts various Windows client and server platforms, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows Server 2025, and Windows Server 2022. Users may fail to connect to shared files and folders using SMBv1 after installing these updates. Microsoft is actively working on a resolution and has provided a temporary workaround to mitigate the problem. The issue arises because either the SMB client or the SMB server has the September 2025 security update installed.

Open in new tab

Microsoft to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025

Microsoft has ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This includes all editions of Windows 10 2015 LTSB and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015. After this date, no further security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance will be provided. Users must upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to continue receiving support. A significant proportion of individual users and organizations still run the Windows 10 operating system, raising significant cybersecurity concerns. Over 40% of global endpoints still run Windows 10, and 26% of UK Windows 10 users do not plan to upgrade. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has urged customers to upgrade before October 11, 2025, highlighting past exploits of unpatched legacy systems. Experts warn of increased targeting of Windows 10 flaws post end-of-life date. The end of support affects Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions. Microsoft advises users to migrate to Windows 11 or use the ESU program, which offers one year of extended support for a fee. Alternatively, users can switch to Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases for specialized devices. Microsoft will allow individual customers in the European Economic Area (EEA) to enroll in the ESU program for free if they use a Microsoft account to enroll and log in to Windows.

Open in new tab

Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions reach end of support in November 2025

Microsoft has issued multiple alerts to users to upgrade from Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions, which will reach end of support on November 11, 2025. After this date, these editions will no longer receive security updates or protections from the latest threats. Users are advised to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2, also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update. Enterprise and Education editions will continue to receive support until November 10, 2026. The end of support for Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions will leave devices running these versions vulnerable to security threats. Users must upgrade to the latest version to continue receiving security updates and protections. Microsoft has also announced that Windows 11 22H2 Home and Pro editions will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. Windows 11 25H2, also known as the Windows 11 2025 Update, is available to all eligible Windows 11 24H2 devices.

Open in new tab