In recent weeks, a wave of concern has swept through the tech community, particularly among Windows users in Japan, following reports of defective SSDs linked to the installation of the Windows 11 update KB5063878. Users took to social media to voice their frustrations, citing sudden drive failures that coincided with the August 2025 security update. The implications of such failures are significant, as they not only necessitate hardware replacements but also pose the risk of irreversible data loss.
Microsoft’s Investigation and Findings
In response to the growing unease, Microsoft has conducted a thorough investigation into these incidents and has shared its findings via an official statement on the Admin Portal. The company asserts that there is no evidence to suggest that the August update is to blame for the reported SSD issues. According to Microsoft, both internal telemetry and additional testing failed to reveal any increase in drive failures or an unusual accumulation of errors associated with KB5063878. This conclusion underscores Microsoft’s stance that no causal link exists between the update and the reported problems.
Interestingly, this assessment aligns with the position of Phison, the manufacturer of the SSD controllers. Phison has also indicated that the defects reported by users are unlikely to stem from the Windows update. Instead, they suggest that factors such as hardware wear, specific usage patterns, or firmware issues tied to individual manufacturers could be at play. However, it is important to note that Phison has yet to provide any official confirmation regarding these potential causes.
The initial reports of SSD failures predominantly emerged from Japan, where users on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted noticeable issues immediately following the installation of the update. This surge of complaints quickly led to a widespread assumption that the patch was responsible, despite the fact that the underlying causes of such failures can often be multifaceted and not easily attributed to a single software update.
Microsoft has emphasized that its systems are monitored globally, and their analysis has shown no deviations that would indicate a systematic problem. The company asserts that had there been a widespread issue, it would have been evident through their telemetry data. Given the lack of supporting evidence, Microsoft considers the matter resolved from its perspective.
