​Microsoft is blocking Windows 24H2 upgrades on systems with incompatible Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) audio drivers due to blue screen of death (BSOD) issues.

Intel SST is an integrated audio DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that handles audio, voice, and speech interactions on devices with Intel Core and Intel Atom processors.

The company said in a new entry on the Windows health dashboard that the affected driver “is listed under System Devices in Device Manager and is found with the file name ‘IntcAudioBus.sys’. If this file is version 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152, this issue can occur.”

“Only devices with both an Intel 11th Gen Core processors and an Intel SST driver version of 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152 are affected by this issue,” it added.

Redmond has also added a compatibility hold to block the Windows 11 2024 Update from being offered on systems with incompatible Intel SST audio drivers (the safeguard ID is 51876952).

Customers are advised not to manually update to Windows 11 24H2 using the Media Creation Tool or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant if their devices are affected by this known issue, which can lead to system instability and BSOD errors.

Workaround available

Impacted Windows 11 users might work around this issue by updating their Intel SST drivers to versions 10.30.00.5714 and later or 10.29.00.5714 and later via Windows update.

If they cannot find an updated driver that addresses this issue, they must contact their device manufacturer (OEM) for more information.

“Please note that later versions of this driver might refer to only the last part of the version number. For the purpose of addressing this issue, 10.30.x versions are not newer than 10.29.x versions,” Microsoft warned.

It’s also worth noting that if no other safeguard holds are in place for your device, it can take up to 48 hours before upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, which is possible after updating the drivers.

Other compatibility holds block Windows 11 24H2 upgrades from being offered on systems running the Asphalt 8 (Airborne) game and the Easy Anti-Cheat application.

The company also added Windows 24H2 upgrade blocks on devices with the Safe Exam Browser application (ID 49562592), some fingerprint sensors with incompatible firmware (ID 52796844), and wallpaper customization applications (ID 52754008).