[German]On January 16, 2025, Microsoft decided to open the floodgates for the feature upgrade of Windows 11 machines to version 24H2. This means that more users will suddenly be offered the feature update and their system will be upgraded to the new version. This may not be to the benefit of users in all cases, as 24H2 still has a number of bugs.
Advertising
A first user report
On January 17, 2024, German blog reader Markus R. emailed me to ask whether I knew anything about the auto-upgrade from Windows 11 to version 24H2. In his company environment, computers are suddenly being offered to install Windows 11 24H2 manually via the Windows Update page.
He wrote that the installation of Windows 11 Pro had now started automatically on one PC without any manual intervention. He also asked whether I was aware of anything that Microsoft was now rolling out the upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 automatically, i.e. without asking whether this was intended for Windows 11 23H2? According to his statement, these are not managed systems and they are not members of a domain. Furthermore, it affects one of his 20 unmanaged computers. All other PCs are still in the status that Windows 11 24H2 is only downloaded and installed as an upgrade by clicking on Download and install.
A second note from a reader
Blog reader Bolko has also recently posted in the discussion area of my German blog and points out that Microsoft is updating compatible systems to Windows 11 24H2 (thanks for that). Bolko wrote: Since January 16, 2025, Windows 11 will be forcibly (automatically) updated to version 24H2 if the hardware requirements are met.
Microsoft has announced it
Microsoft has posted the following information on the Windows 11 Release Health status page in the section "Windows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications" as of January 16, 2025:
Advertising
Microsoft therefore states that a new phase of the phased rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2 has been reached since January 16, 2024.
- Eligible systems with Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, versions 23H2 and 22H2, will be gradually updated to Windows 11 version 24H2.
- This automatic update is only limited to devices that are not managed by IT departments (e.g. via Intune or WSUS).
- Users should be able to select the time at which the device in question should be restarted and, if necessary, postpone the update.
Authorized system in this context means that the machines must be compatible with Windows 11 24H2 and no upgrade stopper has been found.
Problems to be expected
I currently see two problems with this changeover "at the behest of Microsoft". Blog reader Karsten Jobst currently reports in this comment on his experiences when switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11. While the switch to Windows 11 23H2 was installed quite quickly, the download of version 24H2 alone takes hours. Something is throttling the download from the Microsoft servers.
When I visit the Windows 11 24H2 Release Health status page in the Known Issues section, there are still a lot of entries. Some of them are labeled "Mitigated", so there are workarounds. And the problem Select games might stop responding on Windows 11, version 24H2 devices is listed as solved on 17.1.2025. But there are other compatibility issues (e.g. with scanners) that are not even listed. My feeling is that Microsoft is once again trying to push something half-baked out to users.
Similar articles
Microsoft Security Update Summary (January 14, 2025)
Patchday: Windows 10/11 Updates (January 14, 2025)
Patchday: Windows Server Updates (January 14, 2025)
Patchday: Microsoft Office Updates (January 2025)
Review: Windows Patchday issues January 2025
Windows 10/Server 2022: SgrmBroker service no longer starts after Jan. 2025 update (KB5049981)
Attention: Problems with Windows January 2025 updates and Citrix environments (session recordings)
Advertising
