Windows updated when installing League of Legends – now my PC is blue screening sporadically

Handling Windows Updates and Unexpected Blue Screens During Game Installation: A Technical Guide

Introduction

Encountering system stability issues such as blue screen errors (BSOD) during or after software installations can be both frustrating and confusing. Recently, some users have reported that installing popular gaming titles like League of Legends prompted Windows to initiate system updates, which subsequently led to sporadic blue screens. In this article, we explore the underlying causes of such issues and provide practical troubleshooting steps to help you resolve them without resorting to complete OS reinstallation.

Understanding the Scenario

In many cases, game installers or launchers may trigger Windows Update processes if the system detects outdated components or critical security patches. For example, during the installation of League of Legends, the system prompted for a Windows update, specifically a security intelligence update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus (KB2267602). After applying this update, a system restart resulted in immediate blue screen errors.

Key Observations:
– The update was a security intelligence update for Defender.
– No options were available to uninstall this specific update.
– Similar issues recurring on different days suggest potential underlying conflicts or driver issues.
– System specifications include high-end hardware, such as Intel Core i9-14900KF, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, which are generally stable but can still encounter conflicts with certain updates or drivers.

Potential Causes

Incompatible or Corrupted Updates: Not all updates play well with existing hardware drivers or software configurations, especially security patches that modify core system components.
Driver Conflicts: Graphics drivers, especially for high-performance GPUs, are often the first to cause BSOD if incompatible or outdated.
System Files Corruption: Previous system issues or incomplete updates can lead to instability.
Hardware Compatibility Issues: Rarely, new updates may expose hardware faults or incompatibilities.

Troubleshooting Steps

Review Recent Updates and System Changes
Use the Windows Update History to identify recent patches.
Although the specific update cannot be uninstalled from the standard interface, you can block its installation or hide it using the Show or hide updates troubleshooter.
Perform a System File Check
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run sfc /scannow to scan and repair corrupted system files.
Follow with DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to fix component store corruption.