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Microsoft has confirmed that the optional Windows 11 KB5124010 preview update can cause some applications that use built-in AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio decoding to close unexpectedly. Reports point to crashes in several older games, but Microsoft has not named affected titles or published a fix date. If you have not installed the preview, you can avoid it; if you have, removing it is a user-reported workaround, not an official fix.
What KB5124010 does—and what is breaking
KB5124010 is an optional, non-security Windows 11 preview released on 22 September 2026. Microsoft added the issue to its Windows release health information on 2 October. The affected component is Windows’ built-in AC-3, also called Dolby Digital, audio decoder. Microsoft’s stated issue is that “Some applications which require the decoding of AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio might close unexpectedly.” BleepingComputer reported the update and issue notice; TechRadar quoted Microsoft’s statement.
The affected Windows 11 versions are 26H2, 25H2 and 24H2. Windows Server is not listed as affected. The problem is most likely to affect older games and apps that rely on Windows’ decoder; many newer applications include their own audio decoding. Microsoft has not released a list of affected software, so no particular game can be guaranteed safe or affected based on the announcement alone.
Which games are reported to crash?
TechRadar relayed reports from Reddit users who said crashes began after installing the September preview and stopped after removing it. The reported titles include:
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These are user reports, not a Microsoft-confirmed compatibility list, and they do not establish how many people or games are affected. No published count of affected users or titles is available.
Some users also described slow startup, boot failures, or shutdown problems. One Reddit user said removing the update left a PC stuck at the Asus logo and required a clean reinstall. That is a single anecdote, not evidence that uninstalling normally causes boot trouble; it is still a reason to back up important files before changing updates.
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Is this the same as other 2026 Windows gaming problems?
No. Windows 11 has had other reported gaming issues in 2026, but they involved different updates and suspected causes. They should not be treated as evidence about KB5124010’s AC-3 problem.
| Update | Reported gaming issue | What was implicated |
|---|---|---|
| KB5074109, January 2026 | Reports included black screens, visual artifacts and frame-rate drops, with some coverage citing drops of roughly 15–20 FPS. That figure is a report, not a universal measured result. | NVIDIA reportedly identified the update as a likely cause of the black-screen issue; coverage said the February update KB5077181 addressed that issue and a KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE associated with dxgmms2.sys. This is separate from KB5124010. |
| KB5121003, August 2026 Patch Tuesday | Games including ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls and The Finals reportedly crashed, failed to launch, or triggered unexpected restarts on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. | Microsoft tied that incident to RGB-lighting components installing drivers with names such as inpoutx64; Embark Studios pointed to inpoutx64.sys. It is a separate driver-related issue, not the AC-3 decoder problem. |
What to do if you have not installed KB5124010
Because KB5124010 is an optional preview, most people who did not choose Download and install will not have it. One exception is Windows 11 24H2 devices with Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available enabled, which can receive optional updates automatically. Microsoft’s preview is expected to roll into the October Patch Tuesday update about a week after TechRadar’s report, so waiting or pausing updates may only delay receiving it; check the current Windows release health notice before deciding.
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To avoid manually installing the preview, open Settings > Windows Update and do not select Download and install for KB5124010. If you want to reduce the chance of automatically receiving optional releases on 24H2, turn off Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available on that page. Windows Update labels can vary slightly by version.
What to do if a game started crashing after the update
Microsoft has not published an official workaround or a fix date. The following are reported options, not guaranteed remedies. Microsoft says its engineers are working on a resolution for a future Windows update.
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- Confirm whether KB5124010 is installed. In Settings > Windows Update > Update history, look for KB5124010 in the quality update history. Note whether the game crash began after its installation.
- Back up important files first. Save game files and other important data somewhere separate before uninstalling a Windows update. Do not rely on a workaround as a substitute for a backup.
- If you choose, uninstall KB5124010. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, select KB5124010 if it appears, and follow the prompts. Users have reported that removing it stopped crashes, but this is not an official Microsoft workaround and it may not solve every case. If the PC fails to start afterward, the reports do not establish a safe, universal recovery procedure.
- Alternatively, try disabling audio output inside the affected app. Some reports identify this as a way to avoid the audio-decoding path, but it removes sound and is not an official Microsoft workaround. The setting and its effect depend on the game or app.
- Wait for Microsoft’s resolution. This is the only official course among the options above. Check Windows Update and Microsoft’s Windows release health information for a resolution before installing later updates.
Is KB5124010 safe to install?
KB5124010 is a preview rather than a required security update, and the known issue can disrupt applications that depend on AC-3 decoding. If you rely on older games or software, waiting for Microsoft’s fix is the cautious choice. If you already installed it and your apps work normally, the available reports do not establish that every PC is at risk or that you need to remove it.
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