Infopackets Reader George L. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I was reading online that Microsoft's latest Windows 11 update (KB5063878) is breaking NVMe and SSD drives, causing catastrophic data loss. I have Windows 11 on my laptop and I'm terrified - does this mean my NVMe could stop working at any moment? Should I uninstall the update or stop using my computer until this is fixed? Please help me understand what's really going on, because I'm not very tech-savvy and I don't want to lose my family photos and documents. "

My response:

Thanks for your message. You're not alone - many people have seen the same headlines and felt worried. Let me break this down in plain English so you know exactly what's happening and what steps to take.

KB5063878 - What's the Issue?

In August 2025, Microsoft released a security update for Windows 11, called KB5063878, which is designed to address Windows Secure Boot certificate expiration, as well as other security issues.

Shortly afterward, a small number of users reported that their solid state drives (SSDs, NVMes) seemed to disappear or stop working after moving large files (50 GB or more).

In rare cases, people claimed their drive was permanently damaged.

What Do Microsoft and Experts Say about KB5063878?

Microsoft investigated the issue, but says they cannot reproduce the problem and found no sign of increased SSD failures after the update.

Phison, a company that makes SSD controllers used in many brands, tested for 4,500 hours (testing multiple machines at once) and also couldn't find any problems. For example, if they ran 30 SSDs in stress tests for 6 days each, that adds up to 30 × 144 hours = 4,320 hours very quickly.

In other words, the scary headlines are based on a handful of user reports - not something proven to be widespread.

Why Might Some Users See Problems after installing KB5063878?

Some theories from the community include:

Large file transfers on nearly full drives (over 60% full) may cause temporary errors.

DRAM-less SSDs (cheaper models that borrow memory from your computer) might be more prone to hiccups under heavy stress.

Normal drive failures also happen every day, unrelated to Windows updates - so, some of these cases may simply be coincidence.

Should You Worry about KB5063878?

For the average home user, the chances of this happening are extremely small. Still, it's always smart to protect yourself.

What You Should Do - Simple Steps

Backup your files - always keep copies of your photos, documents, and important items on an external drive or in the cloud. This protects you not just from bugs, but from hardware failure, theft, or accidents.

Don't panic about updates - security updates are important because they fix vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Skipping them can leave your PC at risk.

Avoid huge file transfers (like movies or 50+ GB game files) if your SSD is almost full, until Microsoft issues clearer guidance.

Stay informed - Watch for official news from Microsoft or your SSD's manufacturer.

Summary

This bug sounds scary, but so far it looks more like an isolated issue rather than something that will affect most people. The best defense isn't uninstalling updates - it's making sure you have backups. If your SSD ever fails (for any reason), you'll still have all your memories and documents safe.

Keep your system updated, don't stress too much, and make backups part of your routine. That way, no matter what happens-bug, hardware failure, or otherwise-you're protected.

If you need help setting up a robust backup scheme, I can assist (paid support) - contact me now and let's discuss some options over the phone. I can manage your computer's backups remotely using my remote desktop service.

About the author: Dennis Faas is the CEO and owner of Infopackets.com. Since 2001, Dennis has dedicated his entire professional career helping others with technology-related issues with his unique style of writing in the form of questions-and-answers; click here to read all 2,000+ of Dennis' articles online this site. In 2014, Dennis shifted his focus to cyber crime mitigation, including technical support fraud and in 2019, online blackmail. Dennis has received many accolades during his tenure: click here to view Dennis' credentials online DennisFaas.com; click here to see Dennis' Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science (1999); click here to read an article written about Dennis by Alan Gardyne of Associate Programs (2003). And finally, click here to view a recommendation for Dennis' services from the University of Florida (dated 2006).