Windows 11: Microsoft confirms problems with Intel Smart Sound technology

Windows[German]Windows 11 users will have to be patient. Microsoft has confirmed compatibility issues with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers as known on its Windows 11 status page. However, there are suggestions on how to mitigate the problem until updated drivers are made available. Here are some notes on the subject.


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The Intel® Smart-Sound-Technik (Intel® SST) consists of an integrated audio DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that processes audio, speech and voice-driven interactions. The DSP enables PCs with the latest Intel® Core™ and Intel® Atom™ processors to play Hi-Fi quality audio and respond quickly to voice commands without any negative impact on system performance or battery life. Here's how Intel describes this technology. 

Compatibility issues discovered

In the Windows 11 status area, Microsoft has published the new entry Compatibility issues with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers and Windows 11. Microsoft writes that they have found incompatibility issues with Intel with certain versions of drivers for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) and Windows 11.

Windows 11 devices with the affected Intel SST driver may experience a BlueScree Stop error. The affected driver is called Intel® Smart Sound Technology (Intel® SST) Audio Controller and can be found under System Devices in the Windows 11 Device Manager. The driver has the file name IntcAudioBus.sys and a file version of 10.29.0.5152 and earlier or 10.30.0.5152 and earlier.

Windows 11 version 21H2 is affected. Microsoft has imposed a compatibility lockout on devices with affected Intel SST drivers to prevent them from being offered for Windows 11. For organizations using update compliance, the protection ID is 36899911.

Microsoft recommended against performing a manual upgrade via the Update Now button or the media creation tool until this issue is resolved and the compatibility lock is lifted.


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Workaround from Microsoft

To fix the problem, Microsoft suggests asking the device manufacturer (OEM) if an updated driver is available. Lenovo, for example, uses Intel® Smart Sound Technology. If an updated driver is available, it is necessary to install it. This issue is resolved by updating the Intel® Smart Sound Technology drivers to version 10.30.00.5714 and later or 10.29.00.5714 and later.

Important. Later versions only refer to the last part of the version number. To resolve this issue, versions 10.30.x are not newer than versions 10.29.x.

Once users have updated the system to a compatible version of the Intel® Smart Sound Technology drivers, it should be possible to upgrade to Windows 11. It should be noted that it can take up to 48 hours before the upgrade to Windows 11 is offered – provided that no other compatibility locks exist for the device.


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One Response to Windows 11: Microsoft confirms problems with Intel Smart Sound technology

  1. EP says:

    though I think the 10.30.x versions of the Intel® Smart Sound Technology driver do not actually exist, at least not yet guenni

    additionally, Microsoft put this "Important" note:
    "Important: Later versions refer to just the last part of the version number. For addressing this issue, 10.30.x versions are not newer than 10.29.x versions. "

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