A critical alert has been issued for a significant performance degradation impacting Windows 10 and Windows 11 24H2 users. Microsoft has officially confirmed that its August 2025 security update is causing severe lag, stuttering, and choppy audio/video specifically for systems utilizing Network Device Interface (NDI) technology. This issue is particularly disruptive for content creators, broadcasters, and IT professionals who rely on NDI for seamless streaming and production workflows.

The Impact of the August 2025 Windows Update on NDI Performance

The core of the problem lies with how the latest August 2025 security update interacts with NDI technology. Users are reporting a dramatic and immediate reduction in performance upon installing the patch. This manifests as:

• Severe Lag: Noticeable delays in video and audio transmission.
• Stuttering: Jerky, inconsistent video playback, making content unwatchable.
• Choppy Audio/Video: Desynchronization and broken audio/video streams.

These symptoms effectively cripple workflows that depend on NDI for inter-PC communication and streaming. For professionals in live production, broadcasting, and remote content creation, this means disrupted broadcasts, failed presentations, and significant operational downtime. The popular IP-based streaming solution, NDI, which facilitates high-quality video and audio transmission over standard Ethernet networks, is rendered almost unusable in affected environments.

Who is Affected by This Performance Regression?

The primary groups experiencing this severe degradation are:

• Content Creators: YouTubers, streamers, and video producers using NDI for multi-camera setups or screen sharing.
• Broadcasters: Television stations, online broadcasters, and live event production teams who rely on NDI for ingesting and routing video feeds.
• IT Professionals: Those managing media production environments or internal streaming solutions within organizations.
• Windows 11 24H2 Users: The latest iteration of Windows 11 is confirmed to be impacted.
• Windows 10 Users: Various versions of Windows 10 are also experiencing the same performance issues.

While a specific CVE number related to this performance regression has not yet been publicly assigned by Microsoft, the impact on critical production workflows necessitates immediate attention. We will update this section if a CVE is issued by Microsoft or reported to MITRE.

Investigating the Root Cause

Microsoft’s confirmation validates user reports, indicating a fundamental incompatibility or bug introduced by the August 2025 security update. The specific components or changes within the update that are causing this NDI conflict are not yet fully detailed by Microsoft. However, security updates often involve deep system changes, kernel adjustments, or network stack modifications which, if not thoroughly tested with popular protocols like NDI, can lead to unforeseen performance issues.

The critical nature of this problem stems from its direct impact on functionality, not necessarily a security vulnerability in the traditional sense of data breach or unauthorized access. However, the operational disruption it causes can be just as damaging to businesses and individuals.

Remediation Actions and Workarounds

Given the official confirmation and the severe impact, affected users should consider the following immediate actions and potential workarounds:

• Delaying the Update: If you have not yet installed the August 2025 update, it is highly recommended that you pause Windows Update on affected systems that utilize NDI.
• Uninstalling the Update: For those who have already installed the update and are experiencing issues, consider uninstalling the most recent August 2025 security update. Navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates and remove the offending patch. Please note that uninstalling security updates may leave your system vulnerable to other known security flaws. Weigh this risk carefully.
• System Restore: As a more drastic measure, consider reverting to a system restore point created prior to the update’s installation.
• Alternative Streaming Solutions (Temporary): If NDI is mission-critical, explore temporary alternative streaming or video routing solutions that do not rely on NDI until a fix is released. This may involve hardware-based solutions or different software protocols.
• Monitor Official Microsoft Channels: Microsoft is aware of the issue and is likely working on a hotfix or out-of-band update. Regularly check the official Windows Update history pages and Microsoft support forums for advisories or resolution patches.

We await an official patch from Microsoft addressing this critical performance regression. Until then, proactive management of Windows updates and cautious deployment are essential.

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant, Stay Operational

The confirmed performance degradation caused by Microsoft’s August 2025 security update for Windows 10 and Windows 11 24H2 users, specifically impacting NDI technology, underscores the constant challenge of maintaining operational stability in complex IT environments. While security is paramount, updates must also ensure functional integrity. For content creators, broadcasters, and IT professionals, this incident highlights the necessity of robust patch management strategies and the importance of monitoring official vendor communications for critical warnings and resolutions.

Prioritize delaying or selectively rolling back this specific update on NDI-dependent systems until a confirmed fix from Microsoft is available. Your operational continuity depends on proactive management in the face of such disruptions.