Windows 10 Crash when connecting a Thunderbolt NVMe Storage Device

This information pertains to a crash issue experienced when a Thunderbolt NVMe SSD device is connected to a computer with the Windows 10 operating system v 2004 or v 20H2, release 19041.508.

UPDATE: This issue was resolved in KB4586853 (OS Builds 19041.662 and 19042.66) and the safeguard hold has been removed as of December 11, 2020.

Microsoft has found a compatibility issue with Windows 10, version 2004, or Windows 10, version 20H2 that causes a computer to crash when a Thunderbolt NVMe storage device is connected.

Issue: When a Thunderbolt NVMe storage device is connected to a Windows computer with Windows 10 operating system v 2004 or v 20H2, the computer crashes and a blue screen appears. The issue will also occur if an NVMe storage device is connected before the computer boots. Microsoft has acknowledged the situation in this KBA.

Currently, there is no resolution for this issue. A workaround for this issue is to revert back to a previous Windows version, see the section “Remove an installed Windows update” of Microsoft article Recovery options in Windows 10.

Microsoft has applied a compatibility hold on Windows 10 devices with affected drivers from downloading Windows 10 v 2004, and recommends that users not attempt to manually update the OS by using the "Update now" button or the Media Creation Tool until this safeguard is removed. Users who have installed the update should consider reverting to the previous version of Windows if they’re experiencing issues connecting NVMe storage devices.

Microsoft is working on a resolution and estimates one to be available by end of November.

The affected Seagate and LaCie products are listed below:

IMPORTANT: FireCuda Gaming Dock is only affected if an NVMe is installed in the expandable slot.