Unexpected Trouble in Recovery Mode

Microsoft’s recent update for Windows 11, released on October 14, 2025, has unintentionally created a frustrating issue for many users. The update, identified as KB5066835 and targeting OS Build 26100.6899, is designed to patch security weaknesses and improve system stability. However, it has a significant side effect: USB-connected mice and keyboards stop responding when the system boots into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This means that when people try to fix problems with their computers by entering recovery mode, they often can’t interact with the system through their usual input devices.

Why You Care About Input Device Failures in WinRE

This is more than just a minor annoyance. Recovery mode is often the last resort when your PC refuses to start normally. Users rely heavily on USB keyboards and mice there for troubleshooting—whether to run diagnostics, reset the PC, or restore from a backup. When these devices don’t work, it causes a dead-end scenario, leaving users stuck with few options to move forward. For IT professionals and casual users alike, losing such fundamental functionality can disrupt access to important recovery tools, potentially leading to longer downtime or even data loss if not handled carefully.

What Went Wrong in the Update

Digging a little deeper, it seems the update introduced changes intended to tighten security around device interaction—likely to prevent malicious tampering during recovery operations. While the goal is understandable, the implementation appears to have been overzealous. USB device drivers or the way WinRE processes hardware input have been negatively affected, cutting off essential peripherals. Microsoft has yet to confirm the exact technical root cause, but early reports suggest that USB 3.0 and later ports are primarily impacted, which covers most modern keyboards and mice.

What Users Can Do Right Now

If you haven’t installed the update yet and frequently use recovery options, it might be wise to hold off until Microsoft releases a fix. For those already facing this problem, there are a few things to try. Some users have found limited success by switching to older USB 2.0 ports if their device supports it or by connecting wireless keyboards that use a different protocol. In some cases, using built-in laptop keyboards or touchpads can bypass the problem. Ultimately, though, this is a temporary workaround, not a permanent fix. Microsoft will need to push another update to resolve this issue fully.

Looking Forward: Lessons and Considerations

This incident highlights an ongoing tension in software development between improving security and maintaining usability. Locking down recovery environments is crucial to prevent malware from sneaking in, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of rendering basic tools useless. For Microsoft and other OS makers, testing updates in diverse scenarios—including recovery modes and hardware variations—should be a top priority. Users also need to stay alert to the impacts updates may have beyond their primary function. While this bug is inconvenient, it’s a reminder of how tightly connected security, functionality, and user experience are.

Conclusion: Staying Patient While Microsoft Fixes This

Facing a frozen recovery mode without basic inputs is frustrating. But it’s important not to panic. Windows 11 remains a powerful platform that generally works well for most. Bugs like these, while disruptive, are part of the reality of maintaining complex operating systems with countless hardware permutations. The best path forward is to monitor official Microsoft channels for a patch, use the workarounds cautiously, and back up your data regularly. Hopefully, the fix won’t take long, and this issue will soon be just a brief, learnable hiccup on the road to better security.