[German]On September 26, 2025, Microsoft lifted an upgrade block for Windows 11 24H2 that had been set for systems with Intel Smart Sound. This block had been in place since September 30, 2024, for systems with Intel 11th Gen Core processors because blue screens were triggered after upgrading to Windows 11 24H2.
Microsoft and its industry partners are currently trying to resolve the bugs that cause compatibility issues for Windows 11 24H2, as Windows 11 23H2 will no longer be supported for home users in November 2025. Last week, in the article Windows 11 24H2: Camera bug fixed; new problem with DRM media playback, I reported that a compatibility block that had existed since the release of Windows 11 24H2 had been fixed. But Intel Smart Sound technology is also causing problems under Windows 11 (see list of links at the end of the article).
Intel Smart Sound upgrade block removed
When Windows 11 24H2 was released, it was already known that there were problems with Intel Smart Sound technology.
Old post from 2024
On October2024, I reported in the blog post Windows 11 24H2: Numerous show-stoppers and known bugs that there were problems with this sound technology. Devices running Windows 11, version 24H2, that have certain Intel SST drivers installed may trigger a BlueScreen (BSOD) error. The affected Intel® Smart Sound Technology (Intel® SST) audio controller driver is listed in Device Manager under System Devices and has the file name "IntcAudioBus.sys." If this file has version 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152, this problem may occur.
Only devices with an Intel 11th Gen Core processor and an Intel SST driver version of 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152 are affected by this issue. Microsoft has put an upgrade hold on machines with these drivers. The update is not being offered there.
Intel is fixing the driver issue
On September 26, 2025, Microsoft published the support Compatibility issues with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers in the Windows Release Health Dashboard for Windows 11 24H2. The article states that Intel and Microsoft had identified the incompatibility issues described above with certain versions of drivers for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) on 11th generation Intel Core processors and Windows 11, version 24H2. Devices running version 24H2 with the affected Intel SST driver could potentially trigger a blue screen. Microsoft therefore imposed an upgrade block for Windows 11 24H2.
The linked support article now reveals that the problem has been solved externally. Devices experiencing this problem must install newer versions of the Intel® SST Audio Controller drivers before updating to Windows 11, version 24H2. The problem is fixed by updating the Intel® Smart Sound Technology drivers to version 10.30.00.5714 or higher, or 10.29.00.5714 or higher.
Microsoft writes: "Please note that later versions of this driver may 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."
For most users, updated drivers can be installed via Windows Update by checking for Windows updates on your device. If a device still does not upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 48 hours after updating the drivers via Windows Update, and restarting Windows does not help, it is possible that no new drivers have been developed for the specific hardware configuration of the device's built-in audio controller.
In this case, users must contact the device manufacturer (OEM) for more information about the required drivers. Microsoft is working to make the latest compatible drivers available through Windows Update as soon as they are released by the developers.
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