Critical Windows 11 Bug: How the Latest Update Could Permanently Damage Your SSD or HDD

TL;DR

A critical bug in the Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5063878) has been discovered, which can permanently corrupt SSDs and HDDs under specific conditions. If a disk exceeds 50 GB of data and is more than 60% full, the system may fail to recognize it, leading to irreversible data loss. Users are advised to avoid updating until Microsoft releases a fix.

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Critical Windows 11 Bug: Risk of Permanent SSD and HDD Damage

Overview of the Issue

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5063878) has introduced a catastrophic bug that poses a severe risk to SSDs and HDDs. According to reports, this bug can permanently corrupt storage devices, rendering them unusable and leading to irreversible data loss ¹.

How the Bug Works

The bug triggers under the following conditions:

• A disk contains more than 50 GB of data.
• The disk is filled to over 60% capacity.

Once these conditions are met:

1. The system fails to recognize the disk.
2. The disk is marked as “dead” by the operating system.
3. Data recovery becomes impossible, even after reboots or system restores.

This issue affects both SSDs and HDDs, and there is currently no known workaround to recover the lost data.

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Why This Bug Is a Major Concern

Data corruption bugs are rare but devastating when they occur. This particular issue is alarming because:

• It permanently destroys data without warning.
• It affects both consumer and enterprise users.
• Backups may not help if the disk is rendered unreadable.

Experts warn that this bug could lead to widespread data loss if users unknowingly update their systems.

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What Should Users Do?

To avoid falling victim to this bug:

1. Delay updating to Windows 11 24H2 (KB5063878) until Microsoft releases a patch.
2. Check disk usage and ensure no disk exceeds 50 GB of data and 60% capacity.
3. Backup critical data to an external drive or cloud storage as a precaution.
4. Monitor official Microsoft announcements for updates on a fix.

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Microsoft’s Response

As of now, Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the issue. However, tech communities and cybersecurity experts are actively discussing the bug and urging Microsoft to prioritize a fix ¹.

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Conclusion

The Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5063878) contains a critical bug that can permanently damage SSDs and HDDs, leading to irreversible data loss. Users are strongly advised to avoid updating until a patch is released. Stay informed and take precautionary measures to protect your data from this catastrophic issue.

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Additional Resources

For further insights, check:

• Neowin: Windows 11 24H2 Update Breaks SSDs/HDDs
• Microsoft Support

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References

1. “Report: Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 24H2 update breaks SSDs/HDDs, may corrupt your data.” (2025). Neowin. Retrieved 2025-08-18. ↩︎ ↩︎²