Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.11.5 was a November 28, 2016 Hotfix aimed at a small set of games and multi-GPU configurations. It added driver support for Watch Dogs 2, introduced a DirectX 11 AMD CrossFire profile for Dishonored 2, and addressed CrossFire flickering in The Division and Battlefield 1. It was not a broad feature release and is not a sensible default driver for modern systems.
What 16.11.5 was
AMD’s archived product pages identify the package as Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.11.5 Hotfix, released on November 28, 2016. It followed Crimson Edition 16.11.4, which AMD lists as a November 17, 2016 release. The date is the driver’s release date; contemporaneous news coverage appeared on November 29.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product family | Radeon Software Crimson Edition |
| Release | 16.11.5 Hotfix |
| Release date | November 28, 2016 |
| Reported internal build | 16.40.3211.1101, as reported by AnandTech |
| Primary purpose | Game compatibility, profiles and targeted CrossFire fixes |
| Best suited to | Supported legacy Radeon hardware running the listed 2016-era games or reproducing an old software environment |
AMD’s archive uses “Hotfix” as the release designation. Some period third-party descriptions used “Beta/WHQL Hotfix,” but the available evidence does not justify labeling the entire package definitively WHQL.
What the release added
Watch Dogs 2 support
Watch Dogs 2 was the principal game named in the release highlights. “Support” means AMD identified the title in the driver update; it does not promise a universal frame-rate increase, compatibility with every setting, or a fix for every launch problem.
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Dishonored 2 DirectX 11 CrossFire profile
16.11.5 added an AMD CrossFire profile for the DirectX 11 version of Dishonored 2. A profile tells the driver how to handle a multi-GPU title; it does not guarantee scaling, stable frame pacing or higher performance on every pair of cards.
Problems the Hotfix addressed
| Game | Configuration | Reported fix |
|---|---|---|
| The Division | AMD CrossFire enabled | Resolved reported flickering in the game world during gameplay |
| Battlefield 1 | AMD CrossFire mode | Resolved reported flickering |
These are configuration-specific release-note fixes, not evidence that every flickering problem on every Radeon card was eliminated. On a single-GPU system, the CrossFire fixes do not apply.
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Known issues and limitations
Raptr overlay could interfere with games
AMD documented cases in which the third-party Raptr game overlay caused a game not to launch, perform poorly or crash. The stated workaround was to disable the Raptr overlay. The documented trigger was the overlay being enabled, not merely Raptr being installed.
Dishonored 2 CrossFire was disabled on Windows 7
The new Dishonored 2 CrossFire mode was explicitly disabled on Windows 7. Installing 16.11.5 therefore did not make that configuration available on every supported Windows installation. The surviving material does not provide a complete operating-system support matrix, so verify the operating-system package on AMD’s product page rather than inferring one from this limitation.
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Supported Radeon hardware and where the archive is found
AMD exposed 16.11.5 through separate product-specific Previous Drivers pages. Archived listings cover multiple generations, including Radeon HD 7000-series, Radeon R9 200-series, Radeon R9 300-series, Radeon R9 Fury and Radeon RX 400-series products. Examples include the Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition, Radeon R9 290, Radeon R9 380, Radeon R9 Fury X and Radeon RX 480.
Use the page for your exact GPU. Package sizes differ by product branch; archived examples are approximately 136 MB for some R9 200-series pages and approximately 292 MB for some RX 400-series pages. File size is therefore not a universal fingerprint. AMD’s old standalone support article may redirect or no longer be directly discoverable, but the historical release remains listed in product-specific archives such as the Radeon R7 260X Previous Drivers page.
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Should you install 16.11.5 today?
It can make sense when
- You own a Radeon model listed on AMD’s legacy archive.
- Watch Dogs 2 needs the 2016-era compatibility update.
- The Division or Battlefield 1 shows the documented CrossFire flickering.
- You need the DirectX 11 Dishonored 2 CrossFire profile on an operating system other than the explicitly limited Windows 7 configuration.
- You are reproducing an old benchmark, game guide or preserved system image.
It is usually the wrong choice when
- You have a current Radeon GPU or need modern game support and security fixes.
- You do not use CrossFire and have no issue involving the listed games.
- A newer driver already resolves your problem.
- You specifically require Dishonored 2 CrossFire on Windows 7.
For most users in 2026, 16.11.5 has archival or narrow compatibility value rather than general-purpose value. A successful installation on a newer Windows version should not be treated as proof of official modern support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to install it for archival troubleshooting
- Identify the exact Radeon GPU model in Windows Device Manager or the existing Radeon software.
- Open AMD’s Previous Drivers page for that product, rather than downloading a package for a similar-looking card.
- Select Crimson Edition 16.11.5 Hotfix, dated November 28, 2016, and check that the operating system matches.
- Create a restore point or system backup before replacing a working driver.
- Disable third-party overlays, especially the Raptr game overlay, before testing.
- Install the package and reboot.
- Verify the installed version in Radeon Software or Windows Device Manager, then test the affected game with overlays disabled.
Do not force-install a package intended for another Radeon family. AMD’s archive separates the same release across product branches, and the packages are not interchangeable merely because their version number matches.
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If the installation fails
- Cancel the installer if it does not recognize the GPU.
- Use Windows System Restore or reinstall the previously working driver.
- Remove or disable overlays before repeating the game test.
- If your goal is a modern game rather than historical compatibility, install a current AMD-supported driver instead of troubleshooting around this 2016 package.
Bottom line for legacy Radeon owners
16.11.5 was a focused Hotfix: useful for the named 2016 games and specific CrossFire symptoms, but limited by the Raptr overlay issue and the Windows 7 Dishonored 2 restriction. Find it through the AMD archive page for your exact GPU and install it only when that narrow compatibility target justifies using an obsolete driver.
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