Microsoft Windows 11 Gaming Bugs Fixed, Rollout Restarts

Windows 10 laptop
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Microsoft this week removed a compatibility safeguard that withheld the Windows 11 22H2 update from Nvidia GeForce-powered systems that were affected by performance degradation issues after fixing the problem, reports Bleeping Computer

Microsoft started to roll out its Windows 11 22H2 update in early October but discovered in November that this update caused sluggish and unstable frame rates in games, lag, and extensive CPU underutilization on Nvidia GeForce-based systems. As such, the company put a safeguard on the update.  

Microsoft later said that performance degradation was likely caused by some apps and games accidentally enabling GPU performance debugging features not meant to be used by general consumers. However, it did not elaborate on why it happened. It also advised updating games. Meanwhile, Nvidia released a GeForce Experience update that fixed the problem in late September (albeit by a beta update). 

"This issue was resolved in  KB5020044 and the safeguard hold has been removed as of December 14, 2022," a statement by Microsoft reads. "Please note, if there are no other safeguards that affect your device, it can take up to 48 hours before the update to Windows 11, version 22H2 is offered." 

Typically, after Microsoft discovers that a Windows update causes an issue to certain systems, it blocks this update from installation on affected (and potentially affected) devices. Then, after the problem is tackled, the software giant removes the block and lets owners of these PCs install this Windows update. 

Bleeping Computer notes that Microsoft added four other update blocks for its Windows 11 version 22H2 since its release, but they have been removed by now. Apparently, the update caused problems with Xbox Game Bar Capture, blue screens, printing, and Windows Hello.

Anton Shilov
Contributing Writer

Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.

  • JamesJones44
    I'll have to give this a shot. I've had issues with simple model training for testing and VMs being super laggy on Win 11. On Win 10 both work fine.
    Reply
  • ThatMouse
    I'm not convinced they've identified the issue. They started out saying it was "some games" and then changed it to "some games and apps" but when I got stuck with it, Task Manager and Chrome were definitely laggy as well. Everything was slow like my PC was 5 years older.
    Reply
  • FunSurfer
    Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark result is the same after the Windows 11 22H2 update (Ryzen 5 5600X + RTX 3060 Ti)
    Only bug I noticed is GeForce Experience detects Notepad as a game and in-game overlay is activated each time Notepad is opened
    Reply
  • tiggers97
    So what is everyone's opinion of Windows 11 now for gaming? Stable?
    I'm still on Windows 10, and not yet convinced I should go through with the constant pestering to update to 11.
    Reply
  • HkrYq
    tiggers97 said:
    So what is everyone's opinion of Windows 11 now for gaming? Stable?
    I'm still on Windows 10, and not yet convinced I should go through with the constant pestering to update to 11.
    No. Don't upgrade to W11 yet, especially if you're using AMD system (for CPU / GPU or both). This OS bricks my PC cuz microsoft don't recognize AMD fTPM on my CPU (R9 5900X), it made my PC totally freeze everytime an app trigger the "TPM certification check". I fixed it by installing an external TPM module.. Might be worth it to wait for W12 and hope they fix all of this issue in the new OS. This one is a bug farm.
    Reply
  • Colif
    one person having problems isn't enough to stop others trying win 11.
    Something clearly wrong with your CPU or MB if it needed you to use TPM on a 5900.
    I have been on it on an AMD system now since August last year.

    This isn't only about upgrading to win 11, this is about a version update appearing for people again.
    Reply
  • DavidLejdar
    tiggers97 said:
    So what is everyone's opinion of Windows 11 now for gaming? Stable?
    I'm still on Windows 10, and not yet convinced I should go through with the constant pestering to update to 11.
    Everything works fine for me (so far), gaming with Win11 for almost 2 months now incl. MP, since I put my new desktop rig together (AM5). Last week I put a RX 6700 XT in there, and also no issue with 1440p gaming (with a 144 Hz screen here). Even tried The Witcher 3 next-gen upgrade today, with DX12 at Ultra+ graphical settings, and it runs smoothly here (including fast loading), with no crash in the 2 hours I checked it. Additionally recorded a gaming video at it, and fine. Here's a screenshot from the video:

    MlokruG
    That's an individual case though of course. I.e. Win10 asks for a minimum of 2GB of RAM (for 64-bit system), whereas Win11 asks for 4GB as system requirement. So if someone has 8GB RAM, I suppose the apparent increased "RAM need" by Win11 may mean that the remainder will be lacking elsewhere (as in not being able to keep as many browser tabs open as one was used to with Win10). But from my experience, no complaint at all. No crash and no lag in Windows as such, and games run fine and not only stable but smooth. Also moved my slower NVMe SSD with the OS to a chipset M.2 slot, and nothing is worse as far as I can see.
    Reply
  • coromonadalix
    If win10 works ok, i would not upgrade ...

    Im on win 11 it's a pain in the ..... visually speaking, bad gui, bad design etc ... not woth it ... for now
    Reply
  • HkrYq
    Colif said:
    one person having problems isn't enough to stop others trying win 11.
    Something clearly wrong with your CPU or MB if it needed you to use TPM on a 5900.
    I have been on it on an AMD system now since August last year.

    This isn't only about upgrading to win 11, this is about a version update appearing for people again.

    About the motherboard, i'm using ROG X570 Crosshair VIII Dark Hero AM4, idk if it have any problems in it, but before 22H2 update, it runs perfectly without any issues, I didn't need that dedicated TPM till I installed that update. And about "one person having problems isn't enough to stop 'others' ",
    One. He asked about the stability, so i told him from my perspective plus the reasons.
    Two. This news is about W11 "Fixing it's 'Issues'" so that means that issues Existed or even still exists in the OS.
    Three. About the issue i mentioned, others also reported the similar issue: https://community.amd.com/t5/processors/failed-to-initialize-scep-certificationregistration/m-p/495359and that is just one example in one forum. There are still so many error reports in another forums out there.

    And aside from that issue, there are no other issue from my personal experience using it since Oct 2021. Everything works fine and no lag, no stutters. But from, once again, my personal opinion, W10 is way more stable.
    Reply
  • Exploding PSU
    I updated the OS last night (not sure into which version) on my PC and now Windows Explorer crashes every so often. Start menu would also freeze randomly and relatively higher CPU usage (the PC is a bit more noisy now). Can't say anything about gaming as I don't game though...

    It feels like..... it's going backwards...
    Reply