Have you converted to Windows 11?

Sometimes the development process is smooth and sometimes it's not so smooth. Right now, Windows 11's development is falling into that latter category. Recently Microsoft engineers announced a serious issue plaguing the Windows operating system (OS).

The culprit was compatibility between the new OS version 21H2 and Intel's Smart Sound Technology (SST) drivers.

SST is a big deal for Intel. It is an integrated audio Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that was designed to work with the latest Intel Core and Intel Atom processors to handle speech voice and audio interactions.

 

According to an update on the Windows Health Dashboard

"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."

The compatible issues are serious enough that they are causing the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors when they occur. Microsoft has added a compatibility hold to block systems with impacted Intel SST audio drivers from being offered the Windows 11 upgrade (the Safeguard Hold ID is 36899911).

The company advises against manually updating Windows 11 but there may be a workaround for some users.

 

Workaround available for some systems

"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.

Once you have updated to a compatible version of the Intel® Smart Sound Technology drivers you should be able to upgrade to Windows 11."

According to Microsoft, some of the impacted Windows 11 uses might work around this issue by checking if Intel can provide an updated driver for their systems.

Those who cannot find an updated driver addressing this issue will need to reach out to their device OEM for more information.

After updating the affected drivers, it can take up to 48 hours before upgrading to Windows 11 if no other safeguard holds are in place for your device.

 

My perspective

This is par for the course when building new software so events like these should take no one by surprise. Just watch for updates if you're one of the impacted users. It won't be long before you're back to trying out Microsoft's latest OS offering.

 

And the narrator says: "Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel"

 


By Denis Wilson

Cybersecurity Expert, Small Business Technology Consultant, Managed Services Provider, Managed IT Support

Thanks for reading this short post. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPIA Blogs. You can also find me on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter

I am also a published author and speaker on cloud computing, work@home, and cybersecurity. I work extensively with business and professional associations to provide free small business technology education programs.

 

Contact me if you would like me to speak to your association