A new Windows 11 (opens in new tab) issue has come to light which sees users of Intel Smart Sound Technology presented with a blue screen - recently switched back from black to the traditional color - thanks to a driver incompatibility. Affected systems running Windows 10 will no longer be able to upgrade to Windows 11, according to a Microsoft ‘known issues and notifications’ article (opens in new tab) reported by Bleeping Computer (opens in new tab).
The driver at fault is IntcAudioBus.sys with a file version earlier than 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152. In Device Manager it has the name “Intel® Smart Sound Technology (Intel® SST) Audio Controller”. The device in question (opens in new tab) is a digital signal processor that works alongside Core and Atom processors to handle voice commands and play back music without draining the battery. It’s not to be confused with the other Intel SST, or Speed Select Technology (opens in new tab), which lets servers match their clock speed to their workload.
Ian Evenden is a UK-based news writer for Tom’s Hardware US. He’ll write about anything, but stories about Raspberry Pi and DIY robots seem to find their way to him.
