GitHub Windows Server 2022 runners randomly selecting between image 20241113.3.0 and 20241021.1.0

[Alan-Jowett]

Description

The newer image of Server 2022 contains an updated version of the WDK (version 26100.0). I can either build my project to target the older WDK version or the newer one, not both. Having runners randomly select a WDK version makes it impossible to build reliably.

Platforms affected

• Azure DevOps
• GitHub Actions - Standard Runners
• GitHub Actions - Larger Runners

Runner images affected

• Ubuntu 20.04
• Ubuntu 22.04
• Ubuntu 24.04
• macOS 12
• macOS 13
• macOS 13 Arm64
• macOS 14
• macOS 14 Arm64
• macOS 15
• macOS 15 Arm64
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2022

Image version and build link

Working:
https://github.com/actions/runner-images/releases/tag/win22%2F20241021.1

Failing:
https://github.com/actions/runner-images/releases/tag/win22%2F20241113.3

Is it regression?

Yes - Works on 20241021.1.0, fails on 20241113.3.0

Expected behavior

Builds should consistently use either 26100 or 22621 of the WDK, not toggle between them

Actual behavior

Builds randomly pick one version or the other.

Repro steps

Have driver that targets 22621 of the WDK.
Build

Sometime succeeds and sometimes fails.