Microsoft Warning: USB Installations of Windows 11 May Block Updates

Microsoft Warns: Windows 11 Security Updates May Be Blocked If Installed via USB

If you installed Windows 11 using a USB stick or other media containing certain security updates from October or November 2024, you may no longer receive future security updates, Microsoft has warned.

This issue arose with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update, which launched publicly in October 2024. The problem, acknowledged in Microsoft’s Windows release health update, was first identified on December 24, 2024, and was only officially “resolved” on February 6, 2025—though the solution is simply to reinstall Windows 11 using the latest build.

Who Is Affected?

You may be affected if you:
✅ Installed Windows 11 via USB or other install media containing the October or November 2024 updates.
✅ Used tools like Rufus or Flyby11 to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.

You are not affected if you:
✅ Installed Windows 11 via the Windows Update tab—your security updates will continue as normal.

Why This Matters

Windows security updates are critical for patching vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers or cause system instability. If your PC is missing these updates, it becomes more vulnerable to threats.

This issue highlights why Microsoft’s decision to end Windows 10 support later this year is such a big deal—without regular security updates, your system is at greater risk.

How to Fix the Issue

The fix is simple: Perform a clean reinstall of Windows 11 using the latest official version.

? Download the most recent Windows 11 build from Microsoft.
? Install it using official installation methods (avoid older USB media with outdated updates).
? If you used Rufus or Flyby11, you’ll also need to reinstall Windows 11 properly.

By updating your system correctly, you’ll ensure you continue to receive essential security updates and keep your PC protected.

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