Microsoft Says Windows Update Did Not Break SSDs or HDDs
Microsoft has denied reports that the August security update KB5063878 caused failures and data corruption in solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs). According to company representatives, engineers found no evidence linking the update to the issues described by customers.
Speculation about a possible connection first surfaced two weeks ago. Researchers pointed to both security update KB5063878 and the preview update KB5062660 for Windows 11 24H2 as potential triggers for drive failures. Users claimed that after installing the patches, the operating system stopped recognizing drives with Phison NAND controllers during heavy write operations—such as transferring large files or installing major game updates. In some cases, a reboot restored the drives; in others, the devices remained inaccessible.
Reports suggested that Phison NAND controllers were particularly vulnerable, especially DRAM-less models, which allegedly failed even under lighter workloads. Users cited problems with SanDisk Extreme Pro, Corsair Force MP600, Maxio SSD, KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G4, and KIOXIA M.2 SSDs, among others equipped with Phison PS5012-E12 and InnoGrit controllers.
At the time, both Microsoft and Phison acknowledged the reports and said they were investigating. Microsoft engineers stressed they had not been able to reproduce the failures and encouraged customers to share detailed logs to help identify a root cause.
In its latest update, Microsoft confirmed that position:
“After a thorough investigation, Microsoft found no connection between the Windows security update from August 2025 and the hard drive failures reported on social media,” the company stated. “As always, we will continue to monitor feedback following the release of every Windows update and will investigate any future reports of issues.”
The company added that testing was conducted jointly with storage device manufacturers. Neither internal telemetry nor lab results showed evidence of drive failures or data corruption linked to the August update for Windows 11 24H2.
Meanwhile, Tom’s Hardware reported that after the first complaints, a document began circulating online that listed Phison controllers supposedly affected by the bug. Phison quickly denounced the file as a fake, said it had no connection to the company, and vowed legal action against those responsible for spreading it.
Phison also emphasized that its engineers had carried out more than 4,500 hours of testing without reproducing the issue. Still, the company advised users with high-intensity workloads to install heatsinks on their SSDs to reduce the risk of overheating and throttling.
