That’s likely a Windows issue (superfetch, BITS, or Windows Search). The firmware fix addresses hardware-level stuttering, not OS-level oversubscription. Run wpr -cancel and check Task Manager Services.

Run a sustained file copy (10 GB of mixed files). Pre-update drives on 0002SDM1 often stutter every 5 seconds; post-update should show a flat transfer rate (~70-85 MB/s sequential).

If the Windows updater hangs or doesn’t detect the drive, use the ISO method.