Microsoft has shared a workaround for users affected by a known issue that blocks Windows security updates from deploying on some Windows 11 24H2 systems.
As the company explained when it acknowledged the bug in December, it only occurs when installing Windows 11 from CDs and USB flash drives that also install the October 2024 or November 2024 cumulative updates.
“When using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates,” Microsoft says.
“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).”
However, these deployment problems do not impact security updates delivered via Windows Update and the Microsoft Update Catalog or if the installation media comes with security updates released in December 2024 or later.
Workaround available, no fix coming
While Redmond said it was working on a fix, it updated the Windows release health dashboard on Thursday to tag the known issue as resolved and advise affected users to reinstall Windows 11, version 24H2, on their systems using media that includes security updates released since December 2024 to avoid experiencing these problems.
“To prevent this issue, do not install Windows 11, version 24H2 using media that installs the October 2024 or November 2024 security updates,” the company states.
“If a device becomes unable to receive further updates as a result of this issue, it can be remediated by re-installing Windows 11, versions 24H2, using media which instead includes the December 2024 monthly security update (released December 10, 2024), or later.”
On Thursday, Microsoft also announced that the January 2025 Windows 11 optional updates fix another issue (acknowledged in November) that prevented non-admin users from changing their time zone in Date & Time Settings.
Until the fix rolls out to all users with the February Patch Tuesday cumulative updates, impacted users who don’t want to install optional updates can use the Windows Control Panel as a workaround to change the date and time.