14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has confirmed another bug in Windows 11, this time caused by some Intel SST drivers that are seemingly triggering a BSOD on devices running this OS version.
Microsoft explains that it has already enabled an upgrade block, which means that devices that might be potentially affected by this bug are no longer being offered the upgrade to Windows 11.
The good news is that only certain versions of the Intel Smart Sound Technology Audio Controller driver are being affected, and Microsoft recommends users to update drivers as soon as possible. In fact, this is the easiest way to remove the upgrade block, as simply installing the newer drivers allows devices to receive the update bits for Windows 11.
“Intel and Microsoft have found incompatibility issues with certain versions of drivers for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) and Windows 11. Windows 11 devices with the affected Intel SST driver might receive an error with a blue screen. The affected driver will be named Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) Audio Controller under System Devices in Device Manager and have the file name IntcAudioBus.sys and a file version of 10.29.0.5152 and earlier or 10.30.0.5152 and earlier,” Microsoft explained.
You’d better not upgrade for now
Needless to say, Microsoft doesn’t recommend users to bypass the upgrade blocks, as in theory, you can still install Windows 11 despite this restriction.
Turning to the Media Creation Tool or using the stand-alone ISOs still allow users to install Windows 11, but this obviously means you could end up hitting a BSOD if the said driver versions are still on the device.
“To mitigate the safeguard, you will need to check with your device manufacturer (OEM) to see if an updated driver is available and install it. This issue is resolved by updating the Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers to a version 10.30.00.5714 and later or 10.29.00.5714 and later. 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. Once you have updated to a compatible version of the Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 11,” Microsoft notes.