Windows 11 had a bug in its 22H2 update that was affecting some users, causing stuttering in games, and prompting Microsoft to block the upgrade for those people — but the good news is that the software giant has now implemented a fix.
The solution to this annoying bug is in the patch code KB5020044 (Opens in a new tab), a recently published cumulative update – but note that this is still a preview update. In other words, the patch is still being tested, but you can get it the normal way, by checking Windows Update.
You may remember that Microsoft took action against this bug recently, when the software giant installed games and apps that were problematic and suffered from stuttering, thus lifting the ban on the 22H2 update for many people, leaving only those running the problem. Game (or games) unable to upgrade.
With this complete fix, once applied, anyone can upgrade regardless of what games they have installed on their Windows 11 PC. (By the way, Microsoft has not shared details of which PC games or apps were giving rise to the lagging issue, which was related to patch features. Accidentally triggered GPU errors, with work resource debugging).
Analysis: Get it now – or maybe wait a little longer?
It’s good to see a fix for this bug come relatively quickly, as naturally it was frustrating for those who were prevented from upgrading to 22H2 by the bug.
However, remember that since KB5020044 is a preview update, installing it may have unforeseen consequences as it is still in the testing phase. But that said, if you’ve been anxious to finally upgrade to a 22H2 after being blocked by a preemptive suspension for some time, chances are you might want to give it a whirl.
However, the more cautious types should wait for the full release of this update. The final version of this patch will be released in mid-December, just two weeks away now, and if there were flaws in the preview update, any wrinkles should be ironed out by then. (Or we certainly hope so, though from past experience we can take nothing for granted when it comes to patching Windows).
So, the choice is yours, but even if you don’t feel like changing the fix right now, you can simply take your time a little longer knowing that the full version of the remedy is just around the corner.
This cumulative update is actually quite a huge update, which comes with some other major bug fixes besides solving these gaming issues. This includes several important fixes for problems with File Explorer — the beating heart of the Windows interface, which lets you browse folders and the files in them — including a bug that caused File Explorer to crash and burn completely (a situation so catastrophic, it causes a complete restart).
If you need help troubleshooting any issue, by the way, check out our complete guide to fixing common problems in Windows 11.
Across computer games (Opens in a new tab)
