KB5078895: Compatibility issues with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers on Windows 11

Summary

Intel and Microsoft have found incompatibility issues with certain versions of drivers for Intel® Smart Sound Technology (Intel® SST) on Intel 11th Gen Core processors and Windows 11. Affected devices might encounter an error with a blue screen if using the Intel SST driver named Intel® Smart Sound Technology (Intel® SST) Audio Controller.  

This issue only affects devices running Windows 11 along with both an Intel 11th Gen Core processors and any of the following Intel SST driver versions:

• 'IntcAudioBus.sys' driver versions: 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152

• ‘IntcOED.sys’ driver versions: 10.24.0.2863, 10.24.0.3316, 10.24.0.3488, 10.24.0.3633, 10.24.0.3694, 10.24.0.3851, or 10.24.0.3950

It's possible to confirm the audio driver being used by a device by opening the Windows Device Manager and checking under the System Devices section. If the file 'IntcAudioBus.sys' or the file 'IntcOED.sys' mention any of the versions listed above, this issue might occur. 

To safeguard your upgrade experience, a compatibility hold has been applied on Windows 10 devices with affected Intel SST drivers, preventing them from installing Windows 11.

Resolution:  

Devices which encounter this issue will need to install newer versions of the Intel® SST Audio Controller drivers prior to updating to Windows 11. The issue is resolved by updating the following Intel® Smart Sound Technology drivers: 

• IntcAudioBus.sys to version 10.30.00.5714 or later, or 10.29.00.5714 or later.

• IntcOED.sys to version 10.2X.0.7927 or later, or 10.3X.0.7927 or later

You can check for updated drivers by checking for Windows updates on your device. If Windows Update does not detect updated drivers, you will need to contact your device manufacturer (OEM) for more information to install the necessary drivers. 

IT admins in organizations where devices are managed can refer to the following resources to deploy drivers using one of these tools: 

• ​Windows Update for Business customers: Deploy drivers and firmware updates - Windows Update for Business deployment service

• Intune: Learn about Windows Driver updates policy for Windows 10 Windows 11 devices in Intune 

• Autopatch: Manage driver and firmware updates - Windows Deployment 

Once you have updated to a compatible version of the Intel® Smart Sound Technology drivers, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 11.