Windows 11 24H2 is crashing on many PCs due to conflict with security driver

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

The 2024 version of Windows 11 is yet again creating headaches for certain users. As described by Microsoft, a conflict between Windows 11 24H2 and a security driver is crashing unlucky systems.

The trouble centers on a file called sprotect.sys, a driver from SenseShield Technology that provides encryption through specialized enterprise security software. This particular driver can be added to Windows through the installation of many different applications, according to Microsoft, so it cannot be pinned down to one specific program.

Also: 6 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 - and why you should too

But if the driver is on a PC updated to Windows 11 24H2, the system can stop responding and display a blue or black screen error, typically known as the infamous Blue Screen of Death. The problem can occur with any version of the sprotect.sys driver, specifically versions 1.0.2.372 and 1.0.3.48903.

Microsoft has blocked the Windows 11 2024 update for PCs with this driver. That means you will not see the latest flavor of Windows 11 in Windows Update, and you should not try to manually install it.

What you can do

And what about people who have already updated and are bumping into blue screens? Microsoft said that it is working with SenseShield to try to resolve the issue. In the meantime, you have a couple of options.

If you recently updated to Windows 11 24H2, you may be able to roll your PC back to the prior version. To do that, head to Settings, select System, and then click Recovery. If the Go back section is not grayed out, click the button to revert to the previous edition.

Also: 7 quick ways to make Windows 11 less annoying right now

Another option is to remove the update itself. For that, go to Settings, select Windows Update, and click Update History. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Uninstall updates. Check the KB numbers for any updates listed to see if they match the updates listed on the Windows 11, version 24H2 update history page. This method is a lot trickier than just rolling back, but it is worth exploring.

Otherwise, Microsoft suggests that you go to the Windows Update page, where you will see a message telling you that you do not need to take any action now. That is not very helpful, so you may have to wait until a fix is launched for this problem, which hopefully will not take too long.

Also: How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why you shouldn't wait to do it)

Since its release last October, Windows 11 24H2 has been plagued by a host of bugs and conflicts. In response, Microsoft has been forced to block the update for a wide range of affected PCs. The company has been able to fix many of the problems, but several glitches remain unsolved, and new ones continue to crop up.

Though some issues are to be expected with the rollout of any major new Windows update, the 2024 version of Windows 11 has been especially troublesome. With Windows 10 support due to end in October, the burden is on Microsoft to address the outstanding glitches and ensure that Windows 11 is stable and reliable enough for everyone.

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