WD SSDs still block Windows 11 24H2 download and installs, Microsoft may be guilty too

Microsoft has been slowly lifting several upgrade blocks for Windows 11 version 24H2, the 2024 feature update for Windows 11. For example, the most recent one was related to browser compatibility, and it was removed last month. This safeguard hold was lifted about a week after the company released the update such that it was available for download to everyone.

However, there are still plenty of other compatibility blocks that are still in place. These include ones for Dirac Audio, sprotect SYS driver conflict, among others.

Meanwhile, it looks like there is also an upgrade block on certain Western Digital SSDs that prevents them from getting the feature update. While Microsoft, or at least Windows 11, seems to be blocking the upgrade, the issue is not documented on the tech giant's health dashboard website alongside the other entries.

The typical "What needs your attention" message box pops up indicating that the WD NMVe SSD in the user's system is the issue. It says:

Western Digital NVMe disk

 

Your PC has a hardware that isn't ready for this version of Windows. Windows Update will automatically offer you this version of Windows once the issue has been resolved.

Thus, Windows thinks the WD drive in question is not compatible with the Windows 11 2024 update. As it turns out, the problem, one related to Host Memory Buffer (HMB), has seemingly already been fixed back in October 2024 with a new firmware update.

However, Windows does not seem to deliver the correct link to download the update, which means users may still be unable to download Windows 11 24H2 on their PCs.

A Reddit user found out that they were able to bypass the block by manually downloading the firmware from the SanDisk official support page for the corresponding drive model. They write:

I attempted to install Windows 11, version 24H2 and i had a conflicting error on my internal drive, which to note is serving as additional internal storage for my pc. Windows provides a link for you to download the latest firmware for your WD_BLACK SN770 2 TB, but from the Western Digital point of view, it is not clear as to how to update your firmware.

 

After hours of frustration I have discovered that 'SanDisk Dashboard' is the actual software for maintaining the firmware on your WD_BLACK SN770 2 TB.

Thus, in case you happen to own such a disk, make sure to head over to the SanDisk Dashboard website here. It provides support for the following models: WD Green, Blue, Red, WD_BLACK, SanDisk SSD PLUS M.2, Extreme M.2, Extreme Pro M.2, Ultra 3D. You can find the instructions for updating firmware at this link.

Source: Microsoft forum (link1, link2), Reddit

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