Windows 11 update knocks out USB mice, keyboards in recovery mode

Steven

Windows 11 update knocks out USB mice, keyboards in recovery mode

Summary

Microsoft has confirmed a bug introduced by security update KB5066835 (released 14 October) that prevents USB mice and keyboards from working inside the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) on Windows 11 version 25H2. Devices function normally when Windows is running, but WinRE — the diagnostic tool used to troubleshoot boot failures — may not recognise USB input, leaving users unable to navigate recovery options.

Microsoft says engineers are preparing a fix to be released “in the coming days”. The issue compounds other problems reported with 25H2, such as smartcard authentication faults, Windows Update Standalone Installer failures from shared folders, and some IIS-based applications failing to load.

Key Points

  • Security update KB5066835 can disable USB mice and keyboards in WinRE on Windows 11 25H2.
  • USB input remains functional in the normal Windows environment; the fault is limited to the Recovery Environment.
  • WinRE is accessed automatically after repeated boot failures or manually by interrupting the boot process.
  • Microsoft has acknowledged the bug and is working on a fix to be issued in the coming days.
  • The regression recalls old USB/BIOS compatibility problems and makes offline troubleshooting harder for affected systems.

Why should I read this?

Because if your PC won’t boot and your mouse or keyboard won’t work in recovery, you’ll be very glad you knew this beforehand. If you’re an IT admin or responsible for a fleet, this is the sort of patch you might want to hold or test — otherwise you could be stuck with machines you can’t easily repair.

Context and Relevance

This bug matters because WinRE is the primary way to fix many startup problems. Preventing USB input in recovery mode raises the risk of being unable to repair a system without extra hardware or boot media. It also fits a pattern this month of regressions in the Windows 11 25H2 update, underlining the need for cautious patch rollout: test updates in a staging environment, keep recovery media to hand, and consider having legacy PS/2 input devices available where possible.

Source

Source: https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/10/20/microsoft_bug_keyboard_mouse/