Microsoft has completed its investigation into claims that the August 2025 security update for Windows 11 caused widespread SSD and hard drive failures. According to an official service alert shared with business administrators, Microsoft found no link between the reported drive failures and the August update. The company stated that after collaborating with hardware partners, including SSD and hard drive manufacturers, there is no evidence that the update resulted in an increase in storage device malfunctions.
Microsoft’s diagnosis is supported by data from Phison, a major SSD controller producer. Phison conducted extensive testing and did not reproduce the alleged bug, reporting over 4,500 hours of unsuccessful attempts to trigger the issue. Additionally, Microsoft’s own diagnostic telemetry from Windows 11 machines did not reveal any unusual uptick in drive failures after the update.
Despite these official conclusions, a number of users on forums such as Reddit continue to claim that they experienced SSD failures following installation of the August 2025 Windows 11 update. Reports have also highlighted that both new and relatively new drives have been affected, not just older hardware, raising questions about coincidence versus causation. Some anecdotal evidence points to issues with large file operations, such as game installations, especially on drives that are more than 60% full. In some cases, affected SSDs disappear from the system temporarily, while others fail more permanently.
While Microsoft maintains that the August update is not responsible, the ongoing volume of user reports has generated skepticism among segments of the user base. There is a possibility, though unproven, that a specific hardware fault could be aggravated by conditions related to the update, but this remains unsubstantiated by testing and data.
For now, Microsoft is monitoring the situation and states it will investigate any additional credible reports of drive failures. The company’s position is that, barring further evidence, the August 2025 update for Windows 11 and associated SSD controllers are not at fault, but the issue remains under observation due to continuing user feedback.
