Recent Windows Recovery Environment Bug and Smart Card Authentication Fix
In recent days, a significant issue concerning the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) has garnered attention, specifically a bug affecting the functionality of USB devices. Microsoft has addressed this problem with an initial patch, and has now released further updates to tackle additional issues that are impacting various Windows versions.
Smart Card Authentication Glitch Identified
According to the Windows Release Health dashboard, Microsoft has finally rectified a smart card authentication issue that arose after the installation of the October 2025 Patch Tuesday update. This glitch has affected multiple editions of Windows, leading to operational difficulties for users relying on smart cards.
Details of the Smart Card Issue
Post-update, numerous users encountered errors related to smart card recognition, whereby these cards were incorrectly flagged as invalid Cryptographic Service Providers (CSPs) within 32-bit applications. This resulted in complications with signing documents and failed operations in applications that utilize certificate-based authentication.
This issue was categorized under Event ID 624 in the system events log, displaying error messages such as “invalid provider type specified”and “CryptAcquireCertificatePrivateKey error”.Microsoft traced this problem back to a recent change in Windows that mandates the utilization of Key Storage Provider (KSP) instead of CSP for RSA-based smart card certificates, a move aimed at enhancing security protocols.
Resolving the Issue: Registry Modification Required
For users affected by this smart card authentication problem, there is a solution available. However, it’s important to note that this fix will not be distributed via standard Windows Updates. Instead, it necessitates a modification to the Windows Registry, which is not automatically included in standard installations. Caution is advised, as incorrect alterations to the registry can lead to significant system issues.
Steps to Modify the Registry
- Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. Upon User Account Control prompt, select Yes. - Navigate to the Subkey: Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography\Calais. - Edit the Key: Within Calais, verify if the key
DisableCapiOverrideForRSAexists. If so, double-click it and set the Value data to0. - Close and Restart: Exit Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Which Versions Are Affected?
This bug has impacted users across several Windows versions, including Windows 11 (versions 25H2, 24H2, 23H2, 22H2), Windows 10 (version 22H2), and Windows Server (2019, 2016, 2012 R2, alongside the 2025 and 23H2 versions).
For further insight and detailed visuals, you can refer to the original source.
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