Windows 11 24H2 is on the horizon, but some users are hitting a major roadblock: compatibility issues with WD and SanDisk NVMe SSDs. Microsoft has confirmed that certain Western Digital and SanDisk NVMe SSDs using Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology may fail to boot after upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, leading to an upgrade block for affected drives.

The Root of the Problem

The issue stems from how Windows 11 24H2 handles SSDs using HMB technology. HMB allows SSDs without dedicated DRAM cache to use system memory instead, improving performance while keeping costs down. However, Microsoft's latest update introduces changes to memory management that conflict with how some WD/SanDisk drives implement HMB.

Affected models include:
- WD_BLACK SN770
- WD Blue SN570
- WD Blue SN580
- SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD
- SanDisk Ultra SSD

Symptoms of the Compatibility Issue

Users attempting to upgrade may encounter:
1. Upgrade block notifications in Windows Update
2. Error messages about incompatible hardware
3. In rare cases, systems that do upgrade may fail to boot
4. Event Viewer logs showing disk-related errors

Official Fixes and Workarounds

Western Digital has released firmware updates to address the issue:

  1. WD SSD Dashboard (for WD-branded drives)
    - Download and install the latest version
    - Check for firmware updates
    - Apply any available updates

  2. SanDisk Dashboard (for SanDisk-branded drives)
    - Same process as WD Dashboard

For users who can't immediately update firmware:
- Temporarily disable HMB in BIOS if available
- Consider using a different boot drive for the upgrade
- Wait for Microsoft or WD to release additional patches

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

Method 1: Firmware Update via WD Dashboard

  1. Download WD SSD Dashboard from official site
  2. Install and run as administrator
  3. Select your SSD from the list
  4. Click 'Firmware Update' if available
  5. Follow on-screen instructions
  6. Reboot when prompted

Method 2: Manual Firmware Update

  1. Identify your exact SSD model
  2. Visit WD/SanDisk support site
  3. Download specific firmware package
  4. Create backup of important data
  5. Run firmware update utility
  6. Verify successful update in Dashboard

Preventive Measures

Before attempting the Windows 11 24H2 upgrade:
- Check your SSD model
- Backup all critical data
- Verify current firmware version
- Monitor official channels for updates

Long-Term Outlook

Microsoft and WD are working on permanent solutions. Future Windows updates may include:
- Better HMB implementation
- Automatic compatibility checks
- More graceful fallback options

For now, affected users should proceed with caution and ensure they have complete backups before attempting any upgrades or firmware updates.