As of August 23, 2025, Microsoft has rolled out its monthly security updates for Windows 11, including the cumulative update KB5063878 for version 24H2 and related patches for earlier builds. While these updates aim to enhance security and fix vulnerabilities, they’ve unfortunately introduced several bugs affecting users worldwide.
The SSD Nightmare: Drives Disappearing and Data at Risk
One of the most alarming bugs reported this month involves SSDs (Solid State Drives) becoming inaccessible or even failing entirely after installing the August 2025 update KB5063878 on Windows 11 version 24H2. This issue primarily manifests during heavy workloads, such as copying large files (around 50GB or more) or decompressing massive archives. Users have described scenarios where the drive suddenly “vanishes” from the system—it’s no longer visible in File Explorer or Disk Management, and attempts to access buffered data fail. Rebooting temporarily restores access, but the problem recurs with similar tasks.
The bug seems tied to the operating system’s caching and buffering mechanisms, potentially causing memory leaks or I/O stack faults. It’s more prevalent when the drive is over 60% full and involves sustained sequential writes. Affected hardware often includes Phison-based NVMe SSDs, though reports extend to other controllers, and even some HDDs might be impacted. In rare cases, this can lead to data corruption or permanent loss, making it a critical concern for users handling large datasets, like gamers installing titles or professionals editing videos.
Microsoft is actively investigating with partners, including SSD vendors like Phison, but no permanent fix has been released yet. Many reports originate from Japan, possibly due to higher storage workloads in certain use cases. In the meantime, recommendations include:
• Uninstalling KB5063878 (and the preview KB5062660 if installed) via Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
• Avoiding large file transfers until resolved.
• Monitoring drive health with tools like CrystalDiskInfo and ensuring firmware is up to date.
• Performing regular backups to external or cloud storage.
If you’ve already encountered this, rebooting might help temporarily, but seek professional data recovery if corruption occurs.
Broken Recovery Tools: A Quick Fix Arrives
Another significant issue stemmed from the August security updates (e.g., KB5063875 for Windows 11 23H2/22H2), which broke built-in recovery features across Windows 10 and 11. Users attempting to use “Reset this PC,” “Fix problems using Windows Update,” or remote resets via IT tools like RemoteWipe encountered failures. This was particularly problematic for enterprise users and those troubleshooting other issues.
The cause appears linked directly to the security patches, though specifics aren’t detailed. Affected versions include Windows 11 23H2/22H2, Windows 10 22H2, and various LTSC editions.
Fortunately, Microsoft swiftly addressed this with out-of-band emergency updates on August 19, 2025: KB5066189 for Windows 11 23H2/22H2, KB5066188 for Windows 10 22H2/LTSC 2021, and KB5066187 for LTSC 2019. These are cumulative, include quality improvements from prior updates, and restore recovery functionality. Install them via Windows Update (they appear as optional) or download manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. If you haven’t installed the August patches yet, opt for these instead to avoid the bug altogether.
Streaming Stutters: NDI Users Hit Hard
Content creators and broadcasters using NDI (Network Device Interface) software have reported severe performance degradation after the August updates. Symptoms include lag, stuttering video/audio, and choppiness, especially in apps like OBS Studio when capturing displays over RUDP connections. This affects Windows 11 24H2 (KB5063878) and Windows 10 21H2/22H2 (KB5063709), even on low-bandwidth setups.
The issue is tied to RUDP protocol handling post-update. Microsoft is investigating, but a workaround from the NDI team involves switching to TCP or UDP modes: Download NDI Tools, open NDI Access Manager, go to the Advanced tab, change Receive Mode, and apply to all affected devices. This should alleviate the problem until a full fix arrives.
Other Notable Glitches and Installation Woes
• Update Installation Failures: The August security update KB5063878 may fail with error code 0x80240069, especially when deployed via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Microsoft has acknowledged this and suggests checking deployment settings or using alternative methods like manual downloads.
• Miscellaneous Reports: Some users have noted HDMI ports becoming undetectable after updates, requiring system reinstalls. Additionally, general performance hiccups under heavy loads have been echoed on social media.
Final Thoughts: Stay Vigilant and Prepared
Windows updates are essential for security, but August 2025’s batch highlights the risks of bugs slipping through. The SSD issue stands out as the most severe due to potential data loss, while others like recovery breaks have been quickly patched. Microsoft is responsive—keep an eye on their support pages for official resolutions. In the interim, pause automatic updates (Settings > Windows Update > Pause updates), monitor community forums like Reddit’s r/Windows11, and always maintain backups.
If you’ve experienced these bugs, share your story in the comments below. Stay safe out there in the digital world!