The most recently released cumulative update to Windows 11, KB5066835, has been causing major problems to users, most recently, by making USB keyboards and mice usable in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). On October 14, 2025, the patch was released, impacting Windows 21 24H2, and Windows server 2025, putting a critical roadblock on troubleshooting and repairing the systems.
The major problem lies in the fact that, when users want to enter into WinRE, one of the essential models to repair a botched booting process, reset an individual PC, or restore it with the help of a backup, they face the apparent inability to enter it.
Although the input devices work as usual when the system is running under a normal environment of the Windows operating system, they do not work whatsoever when they are in the recovery environment.
This prevents users from using any menus or commands, which essentially locks them out of any necessary repair tools.
On October 17, 2025, Microsoft officially admitted the bug, and this was in line with numerous reports being received by the users who were stranded in troubleshooting. This bug is a real danger to IT administrators, because it can create any small issue in the servers in a big downtime problem when recovery tools are not accessible.
WinRE is not the only problem with KB5066835. Since installing the update, the cause of other issues has been a cascade of users in forums and social media have reported.
Network diagnostics have shown that there is a localhost failing connection, which prevents the development and testing of local applications. Moreover most users have been affected with installation breakdowns with cryptic texts and are left to re-install the update manually. Productivity has not been spared with File Explorer preview panel reportedly becoming unresponsive, and overall system slowdowns, such as slow app started, and erratic multi-tasking behaviour being reported on laptops down to the consumer models, to enterprise servers.
To the growing complaints, Microsoft has already assured that it working on a fix, which is anticipated to be published in the next few days. Meanwhile the company recommends its users not to enter WinRE where possible.
To those who need to do a system recovery, the workaround that they are recommended to do is to boot using alternate installation media in which the peripherals are likely to perform well.
Affected users may also as a final measure uninstall KB5066835 using the View update history section under Settings. Nevertheless, such a move will delete the new security patches and the system will be at a disadvantage. Users are urged to keep checking on the official channels of Microsoft as far as the next fix.
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