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ZDNET's key takeaways
A new bug stops USB devices in the Windows Recovery Environment.
You can't navigate the WinRE screens using a mouse or keyboard.
Microsoft is working on a fix, but there is one workaround.
What would a monthly Windows update be without at least one bug? That's the case with the October Patch Tuesday update rolled out by Microsoft almost a week ago. This one fixed more than 170 security flaws, but it also introduced a glitch that affects some Windows 11 users who turn to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to troubleshoot boot-up issues.
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"After installing the Windows security update released on Oct.14, 2025 (KB5066835), USB devices, such as keyboards and mice, do not function in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)," Microsoft revealed on its known issues page for Windows 11. "This issue prevents navigation of any of the recovery options within WinRE. Note that the USB keyboard and mouse continue to work normally within the Windows operating system."
Also: Don't want to upgrade to Windows 11? You don't have to, but here's what you should know
The issue affects Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, as well as Windows Server 2025. Microsoft said it's aiming to roll out a resolution in the coming days.
Workarounds
WinRE is a recovery tool that can step in if Windows is unable to boot up properly. In some instances, the tool may automatically start and attempt to repair the issue; in others, you can manually select certain options, such as a recovery drive or Safe Mode, to try to repair or at least narrow down the problem. But without support for a USB mouse or keyboard, there's no way to navigate the environment. However, there is one workaround.
Also: Microsoft's ultra compact Windows 11 25H2 update is here - get it in a single restart
If you have an old-style PS/2 keyboard or mouse and a compatible port on your PC, you should be able to work with the WinRE screens, as the glitch affects only USB devices. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for Microsoft's fix, which should arrive before too long.
Another option is to simply remove the October update, but that presumes you're still able to boot into Windows without any issues. If so, head to Windows Update, select Update History, scroll to the bottom of the screen, and click the option to uninstall updates. Look for the KB5066835 update and click the Uninstall link to remove it.
Other bugs
Beyond the WinRE glitch, a few other bugs have popped up in the latest October update. One affects IIS websites, but only those stored on your own PC. If you're using your computer as an IIS server to host websites, those sites may fail to load. This one affects Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, as well as Windows Server 2025. Here, Microsoft said it's working on a fix slated for a future Windows update.
Also: Did you know that Windows 11 has an emergency shutdown feature? Here's where to find it
With another issue, as documented by Windows Latest, the File Explorer preview window may stop working correctly. When trying to display a file downloaded from the cloud or even an internal network, the preview may trigger an error telling you that the file could harm your computer. Though Microsoft hasn't publicly acknowledged this one, hopefully a fix is on the way.
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