Overview

• Microsoft issued a service alert stating internal testing found no link between the August 2025 Windows security update and the storage failures described online.
• SSD controller maker Phison reported more than 4,500 cumulative testing hours without reproducing the problem and suggested extended heavy workloads and poor heat dissipation could be contributing factors.
• Independent testing cited issues across multiple controller brands, with most drives recovering after a restart except for a reported Western Digital SA510 2TB unit.
• Anecdotal reports describe crashes during roughly 50GB of continuous writes on drives at least about 60% full, with some HDDs allegedly showing similar symptoms.
• Microsoft says it will continue monitoring feedback and investigate future reports, while reviewers recommend monitoring drives, backing up data, and avoiding prolonged heavy write workloads on at‑risk systems.