Microsoft Alerts Users: Windows 11 October 2025 Update Disrupts WinRE (Recovery) Functionality

Microsoft Acknowledges Issues with WinRE After Windows 11 October Update

Microsoft has officially verified the concerns raised by WindowsLatest regarding the latest Windows 11 update. This month’s cumulative update, known as KB5066835, inadvertently cripples the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Users are reporting that their mouse and keyboard become unresponsive within WinRE, severely limiting their ability to navigate and resolve system issues. Additionally, this update has been associated with problems affecting access to localhost.

Understanding the Significance of WinRE

WinRE plays a critical role in the Windows operating system, serving as a vital tool for system recovery. When Windows fails to boot correctly, WinRE offers users the necessary utilities to troubleshoot and repair their OS. This recovery environment typically activates automatically following a critical error, such as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).

Beyond just boot issues, WinRE also provides functionalities for managing multiple Windows installations on different partitions or external drives, making it a versatile feature for advanced users.

Accessing WinRE: An Important Step

Accessing WinRE can be done through the following steps:

Go to Settings.
Select System.
Navigate to Recovery and click on Restart now under Advanced startup.

However, if WinRE becomes unusable due to this month’s update, users may find it difficult to navigate or select troubleshooting options. After installing the security update on October 14, 2025, many reported that their USB input devices, including keyboards and mice, were rendered ineffective within the recovery environment.

“After installing the Windows security update released on October 14, 2025 (KB5066835), USB devices, such as keyboards and mice, do not function in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), ” Microsoft noted in an official support update.

Microsoft has confirmed awareness of this issue and is currently investigating its root cause. Unfortunately, the inability to navigate within WinRE may pose significant challenges for users attempting to reset Windows or troubleshoot system problems.

Potential Solutions to Restore Functionality in WinRE

For users who need to access WinRE despite the update, one workaround involves restoring the winre.wim image to an earlier operational version. Follow these detailed steps cautiously:

Download a Windows 11 ISO file, ensuring it is version 10.0.26100.5059 or earlier.
Extract the winre.wim file from that ISO and store it securely.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and execute reagentc /disable to deactivate WinRE, enabling modifications to the system file.
In File Explorer, reveal hidden items and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Recovery.
Backup the existing winre.wim file; this step is crucial to prevent loss of functionality.
Delete the current winre.wim within the Recovery folder, then paste the older version you downloaded.
Close File Explorer and return to Command Prompt to reactivate WinRE by entering reagentc /enable.

Upon executing these steps accurately, users should regain functionality in WinRE, allowing for necessary system repairs.

Alternatively, those who prefer to wait can monitor Microsoft’s progress on issuing a dedicated fix for this issue or consider uninstalling the problematic update, KB5066835.

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