Windows/11 update may affect BCS

 5 September 2025

Latest update: September 5th, 2025

After installing Microsoft Windows 11 update KB5064081 (preview cumulative update for version 24H2), some users may find that Bridgemate Control Software (BCS) crashes when opening .bws files. The program closes immediately without any warning message.

Cause of the problem

The issue affects only .bws files in the old Access97 format—either created directly by a scoring program or based on outdated blank template files. More specifically, it occurs with files that still use the pre-2010 format without “per-section” settings. Before update KB5064081, BCS could automatically update such files internally. Due to changes in the Windows core files, this update process now causes BCS to crash. The exact reason is currently unknown and is part of our further investigation.

Who is affected?

Most modern scoring programs use Access2000 .bws files and are not affected. The problem is limited to older scoring programs creating .bws files in the Access97 format.

Solutions

We're aware that the current version of EBUScore [1.2.33 or later] creates .bws files in Access2000 format. If you experience the issue described it should be enough simply to download the current version.       

If you encounter the issue using other scoring programs, please contact the provider, drawing their attention to this issue.