A possible bug in the most recent Windows 11 version can make a disk disappear in the middle of a large write operation. According to Microsoft, this has nothing to do with an update.
Microsoft rolled out the monthly security update for Windows 11 in mid-August, and as usual, problems didn’t take long to surface. An installation issue was quickly resolved, but the update also seemed to affect HDDs and SSDs. A Japanese source reported via X, noted by Neowin and Cyber Security News, that after installing the update, a disk could suddenly ‘disappear’ from Windows.
The problem was not acknowledged by Microsoft, and the software giant stands its ground. Microsoft reports that it couldn’t find any connection between the update and the reported disk issues. It is supported in this by the Taiwanese Phison, manufacturer of SSDs. Phison claims to have performed more than 2,200 test cycles, during which it couldn’t make a disk disappear even once.
Hocus Pocus
The original report was to be taken with a grain of salt. According to the source, a Japanese hobbyist, this magic trick occurred during large sequential write operations and seemed to affect both HDDs and SSDs from various brands. The disk would suddenly no longer be found in Windows, and SMART functions became inaccessible. This could lead to file and data corruption.
The cause of the disappearing disks remains a mystery. It wouldn’t be the first time a Windows update has tampered with storage drives. Disconnecting the disk and reconnecting it to Windows may restore readability, but it’s not a guarantee for recovering damaged data. Therefore, it’s wise to make regular backups of your drives.
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The update experienced other problems that were acknowledged and resolved by Microsoft. The installation failed for business users using the Windows Server Update Services platform. Despite the alarming reports, Microsoft recommends implementing the update as soon as possible if it hasn’t been done yet, as it contains an important fix for Defender.
This article originally appeared on August 18 and was updated with the latest information.