Microsoft Faces Trouble with Custom Windows 11 24H2 Installations

Microsoft is facing issues with Windows 11’s latest version, and users are feeling the heat. Here’s what happened:

What Went Wrong?

In October, Microsoft released a security update for Windows 11 version 24H2. Everything went smoothly for users who installed the update through Windows Update or the Media Creation Tool. However, tech-savvy users who opted for custom installations by adding security updates directly to the installation file (ISO) are now stuck. Unfortunately, this means no future updates, including critical security patches.

Trying to install updates? Users will encounter errors, leaving systems vulnerable to hackers and other security threats.

Microsoft’s Response

Despite being aware of the issue for months, Microsoft has yet to provide a fix. Even worse, the company marked the problem as “resolved” on their website, even though it still persists. Their advice? Don’t use custom installations in the first place.

What Can You Do?

If you’ve installed Windows 11 24H2 using a custom ISO, the only solution is to reinstall Windows using Microsoft’s official December 10 version of the installation file.

Good News: One Bug Fixed

On a positive note, Microsoft did address a bug where users without admin privileges couldn’t change their time zone in the Settings app. If you’re still facing this issue, make sure you’ve installed the January 28 update (KB5050094) or any newer one.

Workarounds for Changing Time Zone

If you’re still unable to change your time zone through Settings, try these alternatives:

1. Control Panel Method:
   Open the Control Panel, search for change the time zone, and select the top result to make changes.
2. Run Command:
   Press Windows + R, type timedate.cpl, and hit Enter. From there, you can adjust the time zone.

The Bigger Picture

Microsoft’s handling of this issue has been less than ideal, frustrating many users. Since Windows updates are critical for security and system stability, the lack of a timely fix raises concerns about the company’s update management strategy.

Let’s hope Microsoft listens to feedback and delivers more reliable solutions in the future. What are your thoughts on this situation? Feel free to share in the comments.