What just happened? Business enterprise users who use CrowdStrike antivirus software and have received prompts to upgrade their operating system to Windows 11 24H2 should probably wait. The security toolchain has encountered another faulty update that could render Microsoft Office applications unusable. Fortunately, the problem is probably not as widespread as the incident earlier this year.

Microsoft is investigate an error that causes Microsoft Office apps like Word and Excel to crash after users upgrade to Windows 11 24H2. The issue only affects businesses and managed IT environments, so those using Windows 11 Home or Pro on personal devices need not worry.

The problem was traced to an update to Falcon sensor software from Texas-based antivirus company CrowdStrike. It is triggered when a host’s prevention policy engages the Enhanced Exploitation Visibility Prevention policy. Other antivirus programs and older versions of Windows are unlikely to be affected, but Microsoft has not ruled out the possibility.

Although the company has not yet fully resolved the issue, it has stemmed the spread by temporarily disabling the affected security policy and dilatory the deployment of Windows 11 24H2 to affected devices that do not have it installed. CrowdStrike users should check See the company’s security bulletin for more information.

A similar problem with CrowdStrike’s Falcon sensor caused a blue screen of death on more than eight million PCs earlier this year, shutting down airliners, broadcasters and other important infrastructure around the world. Microsoft’s policy of granting security software access to the Windows kernel quickly came under fire. The company started working for reverse this practice despite regulations requiring it.

CrowdStrike is not the first company to experience issues with Windows 11 24H2. Shortly after Microsoft rolled out the major update last month, some Western Digital SSDs without DRAM encounter BSOD and other bugs. Those still affected should download the company’s latest firmware.

Windows 11 24H2 is designed to deeply integrate generative AI features into the operating system. As Microsoft continues to roll out the update, an improved chatbot, image editing, and other features will become available on NPU-equipped PCs.

These include devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon a PC, has experienced numerous delays but remains a key part of the update.