Download UpdateStar News | Crowdstrike Strikes Again: Office Crashes, Windows 11 Stalls

If you have Crowdstrike security software and have just made the leap to Windows 11 24H2, prepare yourself for some unplanned productivity breaks.

Microsoft has flagged an issue that causes Office apps such as Word and Excel to freeze on managed devices. The culprit? Probably Crowdstrike’s Falcon sensor with the “Enhanced Exploitation Visibility” policy turned on.

In this mid-October announcement, Microsoft revealed that the recent update could cause Office apps to stop responding when certain antimalware features are active.

“After installing Windows 11, version 24H2, first-party and third-party apps may stop responding when antimalware security solutions enable certain features. Office applications such as Word and Excel may be affected,” notes Microsoft.

The problem primarily affects enterprise environments, and home or Pro users with unmanaged devices are on the mend. Affected organizations have reported the issue after both in-place upgrades and clean installs, prompting Microsoft to investigate whether similar disruptions may appear on earlier Windows versions or with other security software.

Crowdstrike quickly responded by temporarily disabling the “Enhanced Exploitation Visibility” policy on systems running Windows 11 24H2, but this isn’t the company’s first rodeo. Back in July, a Crowdstrike update caused widespread disruption, affecting millions of devices worldwide.

Microsoft and Crowdstrike are now working together on a more robust solution, although no timeline has been given. Until then, Windows 11 24H2 users may have to hold on tight – or plan for a few more coffee breaks.