Is the Critical August 2025 Windows 11 24H2 Update KB5063878 Damaging SSD?

Why Is SSD Failing After Windows 11 Latest Security Patch Update KB5063878 – Should I Be Worried?

You may have heard concerns about a recent update for Windows 11. This update is called KB5063878. It was released in August 2025 for computers running Windows 11 version 24H2. The main worry is that this update could cause serious problems for some computer storage drives, especially Solid-State Drives (SSDs). Losing your important files is a major concern, so let’s look at what is being reported.

The problem seems to happen when you are moving or saving very large amounts of data. An SSD is a type of fast storage in modern computers. It holds your operating system, your programs, and all your personal files like photos and documents. An issue that affects your SSD can put all of that data at risk.

What Is the Problem?

Microsoft released update KB5063878 on August 12, 2025. This update was meant to make Windows 11 safer. But it’s causing big troubles instead.

People are saying their SSD drives stop working after installing this update. When you try to save large files, the drives can break. This means you might lose important data.

What are the Signs of a Problem?

People who have seen this issue report several specific symptoms. If you have installed the KB5063878 update, it is wise to watch for these signs, particularly after transferring large files.

• Your Drive Disappears: The most serious sign is when your computer suddenly cannot see your SSD. The drive may vanish from File Explorer, making it seem like it’s no longer connected.
• Health Checks Fail: Computers can normally check the health of a drive. This is called a S.M.A.R.T. check. With this error, the computer may lose its ability to check the drive’s health status.
• You See Files but Can’t Open Them: In some cases, you might still see your list of folders and files. However, when you try to open a file, you get an error. This suggests the file itself is damaged or inaccessible.
• Data Corruption: The worst outcome is that your files become broken or corrupted. This can lead to permanent data loss if you do not have a backup.

Who Might Be Affected?

The issue does not appear to affect every computer. The reports point to a specific set of circumstances where the problem is more likely to occur.

The Operating System and Update

You must be using Windows 11, version 24H2, and have installed the cumulative security update KB5063878 from August 2025.

The Action

The error is most often triggered when writing large amounts of data to the drive continuously. One user noted it happened after writing about 50 GB of data to an SSD that was already over 60% full.

The Hardware

Early reports suggest the problem is more common with certain types of SSDs. Specifically, drives that use a part called a Phison controller seem more vulnerable. The issue appears to be even more frequent on models of these drives that do not have their own DRAM cache, a type of fast memory. Some users have also noted similar problems with traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), but SSDs are the primary concern.

Which Drives Are at Risk?

Not all SSDs have this problem. But some types are more likely to break:

High-Risk Drives:

• SSDs with Phison controllers
• Drives without DRAM memory
• Older SSD models
• Drives that are already mostly full

What Happens:
The update seems to mess with how the drive stores data temporarily. When you write lots of files at once, the system gets confused. This can corrupt your files permanently.

Real User Reports

A tech expert from Japan first noticed this problem. He builds computers for a living and tested many different setups. His findings were scary:

• Multiple SSD brands stopped working
• The problem happened every time with certain drives
• Even some regular hard drives had issues
• File corruption was common

Other computer users started reporting similar problems. The issue spread across different countries and computer types.

Signs Your Drive Might Be Affected

Watch for these warning signs:

1. Slow file transfers that suddenly stop
2. Error messages when saving large files
3. Missing drive information in system tools
4. Folders appear empty even though files should be there
5. Computer crashes during file operations

What You Should Do Right Now

Since this issue could lead to the loss of your important data, taking a cautious approach is the best course of action. Your data is more valuable than any new feature an update might offer.

First, consider pausing Windows updates.

You can do this for a week or more. This prevents your computer from automatically installing the KB5063878 update. You can pause updates by going to Settings > Windows Update and selecting the option to pause. This gives Microsoft and the community time to investigate the problem and release a fix.

Second, back up your data now.

This is the most important step you can take. A backup is a separate copy of your important files stored on a different drive, like an external hard drive or a cloud service. If something happens to your main SSD, you will still have a safe copy of your photos, documents, and other files.

Third, wait for more information.

These are early reports. The problem may be limited to a small number of users with specific hardware. Microsoft will likely investigate these claims. Wait for an official statement or a new, fixed update before you proceed. If you manage many computers for a business, it is strongly advised not to deploy this update until the situation is clear.

Immediate Actions:

• Don’t install the August 2025 update yet
• Back up your important files to a different drive
• Check your SSD’s current storage usage
• Avoid large file transfers until this gets fixed

If You Already Installed the Update:

• Stop using your computer for large file operations
• Run a disk check to see if files are damaged
• Consider removing the update if problems start
• Contact a tech expert if you see error messages

Microsoft’s Response

Microsoft has not officially responded to these reports yet. The company usually investigates serious problems like this. They might release a fix in the next few weeks.

For now, the safest choice is to wait. Don’t rush to install this update, especially if you use your computer for important work.

Protecting Your Computer

Prevention Steps:

• Keep your files backed up in multiple places
• Don’t fill your SSD more than 70% full
• Update your SSD’s firmware regularly
• Monitor your drive’s health using free tools

Long-term Safety:
Consider using cloud storage for important files. This way, even if your SSD breaks, your data stays safe somewhere else.

This Windows 11 update problem is serious but not universal. Many users won’t see any issues. However, if you use your computer for work or store valuable files, it’s better to be safe.

Wait for Microsoft to fix this problem before updating. Your files are too important to risk losing over a security patch that can wait a few more weeks.

The computer industry moves fast, but sometimes patience protects you from costly mistakes. This is one of those times where waiting is the smart choice.