On November 12, 2026, AMD released AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 26.11.1, a graphics driver that fixes two bugs causing excessive writes to the system drive. The fixes cover writes that occurred while the PC was idle and writes that occurred when an application window was moved or resized. AMD's release notes list both as bugs involving unnecessary writes to the drive where the operating system is installed.
However, the idle-state fix explicitly names Radeon RX 7000 series and later, so the same fix may not apply to every GPU the driver supports. Some game issues carried over from earlier versions also remain, as does a problem that disables a certain feature on Windows 10. Before updating, it's worth checking not only what was fixed but also how the driver affects your GPU, your OS, and the games you usually play.
Fixes for excessive writes at idle and during window operations
In AMD's release notes for 26.11.1, two bugs that caused excessive writes to the system drive have been added to "Fixed Issues." The first is excessive writes to the system drive even while the PC is idle and not being used. AMD specifically names Radeon RX 7000 series and later graphics products as affected by this bug.
The second is excessive writes to the system drive when moving or resizing an application window. The release notes do not limit this one to a particular GPU series. Both are listed as fixed in 26.11.1, but because the two symptoms occur under different conditions, each needs to be checked individually.
Note that the GPUs the driver supports and the GPUs covered by each individual fix don't necessarily match. The 26.11.1 compatibility list includes cards such as the Radeon RX 6700 and RX 5700, but for the idle-write problem AMD explicitly names only the RX 7000 series and later. Just because an older-generation GPU such as the RX 6700 is supported by the driver, you can't assume the same idle-state problem has been fixed on it.
AMD also has not published the write speeds, cumulative data volumes, or occurrence rates involved when the excessive writes occurred. It does not explain the root cause of the bugs or how much the fix affects SSD lifespan, and no independent test results have been presented. To confirm the effect of the fix, you would need to measure write volumes at idle and during window operations in your own environment.
Write issues fixed, but game and Windows 10 problems remain
While 26.11.1 fixes the excessive system drive writes, it does not resolve every known issue. Comparing the release notes with the previous version, 26.10.2, the driver timeouts in War Thunder on Radeon RX 5000 series and the problem of Smart Access Memory being disabled on Windows 10 both remain listed under "Known Issues."
The table below compares the fixed and known issues for 26.10.2 (updated October 30, 2026) and 26.11.1 (updated November 12).
| Symptom / affected condition | 26.10.2 | 26.11.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive writes to the system drive at idle (RX 7000 and later) | Not listed as fixed or known | Fixed |
| Excessive writes when moving or resizing windows (no GPU restriction stated) | Not listed as fixed or known | Fixed |
| Driver timeouts in War Thunder (RX 5000) | Known issue; 26.9.1 recommended if affected | Remains a known issue |
| Smart Access Memory disabled after installation (Windows 10) | Known issue | Remains a known issue |
"Not listed" in the table means there is no corresponding entry among the fixed or known issues for 26.10.2. It does not confirm that the problem did not occur in the earlier version. The table also compares what the release notes say; it is not the result of measuring actual occurrence rates or performance impact.
Windows 10 users in particular should pay attention to the AMD Smart Access Memory (SAM) issue. SAM lets a compatible Ryzen processor access the entire graphics memory of a Radeon GPU, improving data transfer efficiency and boosting performance in some games. With 26.11.1, SAM may be disabled after installing the driver on Windows 10, so if you normally use the feature, you should confirm it is still enabled after updating.
Meanwhile, on Radeon RX 5000 series cards, intermittent driver timeouts may still occur when playing War Thunder. AMD recommends that users who experience this symptom use driver version 26.9.1. Even if you install the latest version to fix the system drive write issue, you'll need to consider whether it causes problems in the games you usually play.
Some Radeon RX 9000 series cards also have a reported issue with Cyberpunk 2077. If AMD FSR Upscaling, Radeon Anti-Lag, and in-game frame generation are all enabled while a video plays on a secondary display, the game may crash or a driver timeout may occur. As a workaround, AMD advises disabling in-game frame generation.
The 26.11.1 release notes list a total of nine known issues. Besides those covered here, they include problems that occur with specific combinations of GPUs and games. Before updating, check the official release notes to see whether your setup is affected.
What to check before updating, and how to roll back
AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 26.11.1 supports Windows 11 version 21H2 or later and 64-bit Windows 10 version 21H2 or later. The range of supported OS versions can differ by GPU, so in addition to your Windows version, confirm that your graphics product appears on the compatibility list.
For laptops and all-in-one PCs, pay attention to where you get the driver. AMD recommends using drivers provided by the PC manufacturer for these products, noting that generic drivers downloaded from AMD's website may not fully support manufacturer-specific features. Handheld gaming devices are not covered by this package and require the dedicated driver provided by each device maker.
Some download sites also mix information about new and old versions. For example, TechSpot's download page presents the driver under the name "26.11.1 Hotfix," and the fixes it describes match AMD's official announcement. However, the same page still carries links to older drivers for Windows 7/8 and 32-bit environments, as well as compatibility information for older Radeon/Crimson generations.
AMD's official classification for this driver is "Optional Driver." Even if outdated compatibility information appears on third-party sites, it does not necessarily apply to 26.11.1. To avoid installing the wrong version, it is safest to download the driver from AMD's official website and check the version number, supported GPUs, and OS.
If problems occur after updating and you want to go back to an older version, AMD recommends using the AMD Cleanup Utility. The tool removes installed AMD graphics drivers, audio drivers, and related software so that a different version can be installed. AMD chipset drivers are not removed or changed.
Before running it, make sure Windows Update is not in progress, and if an update is underway, wait for it to finish. The Cleanup Utility creates a Windows restore point before it runs, and AMD recommends using it in Safe Mode. A PC restart is also required for the removal to take effect. If you are rolling back because of a bug in a specific game, check in advance which driver AMD recommends for it.
The significance of 26.11.1 is that it fixes a problem affecting how storage is used: excessive writes to the system drive. However, AMD has not published how much the fix reduces write volumes, so the actual improvement has to be checked in your own environment. Comparing write volumes at idle and during window operations before and after the update, under the same conditions, will make it easier to judge the effect of the fix.
On the other hand, if you use Smart Access Memory on Windows 10 or play games affected by known issues, you should also be careful about how the update might affect you. The key question when deciding whether to install 26.11.1 is whether you can get rid of the excessive writes while keeping the features and games you rely on running stably.