Microsoft has concluded its investigation into the troubling reports surrounding the recent Windows 11 update, which some users claimed was responsible for damaging solid-state drives (SSDs). The company has determined that the August 2025 security update is not linked to the hard drive failures that have been circulating on social media platforms. According to a service alert posted on Microsoft’s admin center, accessible only to business accounts, the investigation revealed no evidence connecting the update to the reported issues.
In collaboration with SSD manufacturers, including Phison, who produces controllers for some of the affected drives, Microsoft found no correlation between the update and the failures. Phison, after extensive testing spanning over 4,500 hours, confirmed that it could not replicate the bug. Additionally, Microsoft’s telemetry data, which gathers diagnostic information from systems running Windows 11, did not indicate an uptick in drive failures following the update.
Analysis: coincidence and ‘natural’ drive failures – or something else?
Despite Microsoft’s assurances, a significant number of Windows 11 users continue to voice their frustrations on forums like Reddit, claiming that their SSDs have failed after installing the August update. Conversely, some users managing multiple PCs report no issues whatsoever, even after applying the cumulative update.
This discrepancy raises questions about the nature of the failures. One theory suggests that the timing of the drive failures coinciding with the update may be purely coincidental, as hardware failures can occur independently of software changes. However, the volume of reports raises eyebrows, leading some to speculate that there may be an underlying issue that has yet to be identified. Notably, reports indicate that both new and older drives are experiencing failures, complicating the narrative further.
Another possibility is that while the update itself may not be directly responsible, it could inadvertently exacerbate existing hardware vulnerabilities in certain drives. This notion remains speculative, especially given the thorough testing conducted by Microsoft and Phison, which yielded no evidence of a systemic problem with the update.
The nature of the reported failures typically involves initiating large file transfers, such as during game installations. Observations suggest that drives over 60% capacity are more susceptible to these issues. Users have reported instances where the affected SSD disappears from the system, although some have found that a simple reboot resolves the problem, while others face persistent issues.
For Windows 11 Home users, the situation is particularly precarious, as they have limited options to delay cumulative updates. As these updates are automatically applied, users must weigh their confidence in performing significant file operations, especially if their drives are nearing full capacity. Microsoft has indicated a willingness to investigate any future reports, leaving the door open for further scrutiny, but for now, the company appears eager to close the chapter on this matter. Nonetheless, skepticism remains among users who feel that the full story behind these SSD failures has yet to be uncovered.
