Windows 11's October update causes a serious recovery mode glitch - but there's a workaround

Microsoft’s October update for Windows 11, released on October 14, 2025, has introduced a significant glitch affecting the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). The update, KB5066835, aimed to address over 170 security vulnerabilities but inadvertently caused a problem where USB devices such as keyboards and mice become unresponsive within WinRE. This issue prevents users from navigating any recovery options when troubleshooting boot issues, although USB peripherals continue to function normally during regular Windows operation. The glitch affects Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as Windows Server 2025. WinRE is a critical recovery tool that helps users repair or diagnose issues when their system fails to boot correctly. It automatically launches in some cases or can be manually accessed to select recovery options such as Safe Mode or recovery drives. However, due to the USB input failure, users relying on standard USB keyboards or mice cannot interact with WinRE menus, significantly hindering troubleshooting efforts. Microsoft has acknowledged this problem on its known issues page and is actively working to release a fix in the near future. For users facing this issue, there is a practical workaround. Those who possess legacy PS/2 keyboards or mice and have compatible ports on their computers can use these devices to navigate WinRE screens. The glitch is limited exclusively to USB devices, so PS/2 peripherals remain functional. If a PS/2 device is not an option, users might consider uninstalling the October update, provided their system can still boot normally. This can be done by accessing Windows Update settings, viewing Update History, and selecting to uninstall KB5066835. Aside from the WinRE USB input glitch, the October update has introduced other bugs impacting Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. One such issue affects Internet Information Services (IIS) websites hosted on local machines, causing them to fail to load properly. Microsoft is aware and working on a fix for this problem as well. Another reported bug involves the File Explorer preview window, which may incorrectly display error messages when attempting to preview files downloaded from the cloud or internal networks. This particular issue has not been officially confirmed by Microsoft, but users and independent analysts expect a resolution soon. While the October update strengthens Windows security by patching numerous vulnerabilities, these new problems underscore the challenges of balancing complex system updates with stability. Users and administrators are advised to weigh the risks of applying this update immediately against potential recovery constraints in the event of boot failures. Microsoft’s forthcoming patches are expected to resolve these issues, but in the interim, reliance on legacy input devices or uninstall procedures may be necessary to maintain access to essential recovery tools. Overall, the October 2025 Windows 11 update illustrates the ongoing trade-offs in software maintenance between addressing security threats and ensuring uninterrupted system functionality. Users should remain vigilant, keep abreast of Microsoft’s updates, and prepare contingencies to mitigate recovery complications induced by this update.