Microsoft’s Emergency Fix Restores Windows 11 Recovery

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Microsoft scrambled to push emergency patches after its October security update broke critical Windows 11 recovery functions.

Millions of people suddenly could not repair their systems when trouble hit. The urgent fix addresses a dangerous flaw that disabled USB keyboards and mice in recovery mode, exactly when users need them most.

The crisis traces back to Microsoft’s October 14 security update, KB5066835, which accidentally crippled the Windows Recovery Environment, WinRE, on affected machines. USB input devices stopped functioning in recovery mode, making repair operations impossible. Windows Forum said enterprise IT teams documented the side effect within days of the mandatory rollout.

Breakdown that blindsided Microsoft

The October update created a mismatch between Windows’ main operating ...