Windows 11 upgrade block lifted after Safe Exam Browser fix
Microsoft has removed an upgrade block that prevented some Safe Exam Browser users from installing the Windows 11 2024 Update due to incompatibility issues.
Safe Exam Browser is an open-source software used by schools, professional certification bodies, and enterprises to transform computers into secure workstations during online exams, preventing cheating by restricting access to unauthorized resources, apps, and websites.
The compatibility hold was added in September to prevent issues affecting Windows 11, version 24H2 users when opening Safe Exam Browser version 3.7 or lower.
Microsoft says the developers have solved this known issue and advises customers to install the latest Safe Exam Browser version (3.8 or later). Affected users should update the Safe Exam Browser app before upgrading their systems to Windows 11 24H2.
“If your device still encounters this safeguard hold 48 hours after updating to the latest version of the application, you will need to contact Safe Exam Browser Support for more information on the resolution,” Microsoft said in a Windows release health update.
“If you are trying to install Windows 11, version 24H2 through the media creation tool, you will be able to proceed with the installation after you follow the instructions in the UI that pops up during the installation.”
Windows 11 24H2 rolling out to everyone, still blocked on some PCs
Last week, Microsoft announced that the Windows 11 24H2 feature update is ready to roll out to all compatible PCs, excluding those with safeguard holds, and fixed a known issue blocking it from being delivered via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) after installing the April 2025 security updates.
The company also mitigated a “latent code issue” causing some PCs to be upgraded to Windows 11 despite Intune policies that should’ve blocked Windows 11 upgrades.
In recent months, Microsoft has lifted other compatibility holds, blocking Windows 11 24H2 upgrades on ASUS devices with very specific hardware components and for some AutoCAD users and Asphalt 8: Airborne players.
Other upgrade blocks prompted by incompatible hardware and software that still stand have also been applied to computers with integrated cameras, Dirac audio improvement software, or the Easy Anti-Cheat application.
Windows 11 24H2 started rolling out in May 2024 for enterprise testing to enterprise customers enrolled in the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel and was released to eligible devices running Windows 11 22H2/23H2 in October.
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