However, NVIDIA released a beta GeForce Experience (GFE) update with version 3.26 to resolve the issues. Now, another issue has come to light that’s triggering blue screens of death (BSODs) on Windows 11 and some Intel processors due to the Windows 11 2022 Update. In order to safeguard the upgrade experience for users, the Redmond giant has applied a compatibility hold on devices with affected Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) audio drivers from being offered Windows 11, version 22H2, or Windows 11, version 21H2. For the unversed, Intel SST is an integrated audio DSP (Digital Signal Processor) built to handle audio, voice, and speech interactions. It allows the latest Intel Core and Intel Atom processor-based PCs to respond to your voice command quickly and offer high-fidelity audio without impacting system performance and battery life. “Intel and Microsoft have found incompatibility issues with certain versions of drivers for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) on Intel 11th Gen Core processors and Windows 11. Windows 11 devices with the affected Intel SST driver might receive an error with a blue screen,” Microsoft said in a Windows Health dashboard update. “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 or 10.30.0.5152.” Only devices with both an Intel 11th Gen Core processor and an Intel SST driver version of 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152 are affected by this issue. Microsoft recommends not to manually update affected systems to Windows 11 22H2 using the ‘Update now’ button or the ‘Media Creation Tool’ until this issue has been resolved and the safeguard removed. The Redmond giant added that some of the affected Windows 11 customers may be able to work around this issue by checking if Intel has an updated driver available for their systems and install it. “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,” the company added. “Once you have updated to a compatible version of the Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 11.” If you encounter this safeguard hold and an updated driver is not yet available that addresses this issue, you need to contact your device manufacturer (OEM) for more information. After updating the affected Intel SST audio driver, it can take up to 48 hours before the upgrade to Windows 11 21H2 is offered.
