Windows 11 24H2 update disrupts caching on DRAMless WD SSDs
The October release of the Windows 11 update 24H2 from Microsoft brought unexpected trouble for certain Western Digital solid state drives. In particular, models WD Black SN770 and WD Blue SN580, which do not include their own DRAM cache and depend on Host Memory Buffer technology to handle caching, were affected. HMB lets the system memory serve as a cache for these drives, with a typical reservation of 64 MB. When 24H2 rolled out, Windows began reserving as much as 200 MB for HMB, a change that sparked cyclic errors and instability for these drives.
Affected users crowded forums with reports of crashes after installing the update. It became clear that reverting to the previous Windows version, 23H2, often resolves the problem. The issue targets DRAMless SSDs that rely on HMB to cache I/O operations. Industry observers note that a temporary workaround exists by limiting the HMB cache to 64 MB through the registry, but this tweak comes at a cost: reduced cache effectiveness and slower performance during heavy file operations. The result is a system that stabilizes with fewer crashes, yet at the expense of peak SSD efficiency.
The incident raises questions about how updates are tested before release. Some observers point to a shift away from traditional testing toward broader use of the Windows Insider program, suggesting that everyday users may become de facto testers for new builds. This dynamic can lead to critical errors appearing shortly after a public release, as early adopters encounter edge cases that standard QA might miss.
SEMANTICS: The episode highlights the delicate balance between caching architecture and operating system memory management in modern storage. It shows how hardware choices such as DRAMless SSDs interact with software updates, and it invites a broader discussion about update quality and the responsibilities of platform developers in delivering stable improvements. For those affected, the takeaway is simple: back up data, monitor for firmware or driver updates from manufacturers, and weigh timing when applying major OS updates that touch storage subsystems. In the broader landscape, the tale echoes the ongoing challenge of coordinating hardware design with evolving software ecosystems, with user experience hanging in the balance between performance and reliability.