Microsoft has warned users about a critical bug in certain manually created Windows 11 installer media. The bug impacts USB drives and prevents new PC installations from receiving future security updates.
This issue could significantly affect professional users setting up systems in business or educational environments and tech enthusiasts who recently built their own PCs.
On its Windows 11 Known Issues page, Microsoft explains the problem:
“When using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates. This occurs only when the media is created to include the October 2024, or November 2024, security updates as part of the installation (these updates were released between October 8, 2024, and November 12, 2024).”
Fortunately, this bug does not impact systems that received these updates through Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog.
How to Fix the Issue
To resolve the problem, users must recreate their installation media using the December 2024 update (released on December 10, 2024). Microsoft advises that users ensure the updated media includes this patch before performing a Windows 11 installation to avoid future security issues. Additionally, Microsoft is working on a permanent solution to prevent such problems in the future.
Other Windows 11 24H2 Bugs
Windows 11 version 24H2 has also encountered other glitches. Reports highlight issues with specific audio devices, challenges launching Outlook with outdated Google Workspace Sync, and a peculiar compatibility problem with certain Ubisoft games. While fixes for some of these issues are gradually rolling out, users are advised to stay updated and vigilant when installing new patches.
This serves as a reminder for users to always verify their installation media and regularly check for updates to maintain system stability and security.
