Microsoft has issued an emergency patch, KB5070773, to resolve an issue in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) affecting Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. The patch restores USB keyboard and mouse functionality, which was disrupted following the October 14 update.
Patch Details and Application
The bug was introduced by cumulative update KB5066835, leaving WinRE unusable for some users. To install the fix, users who can still access Windows should apply KB5070773 via Windows Update and reboot their systems. For those unable to access their systems, the patch is included in future rollup updates.
Workarounds and Company Response
For affected users, Microsoft recommends alternative input methods such as a touchscreen or PS/2 ports. Additional recovery options include using a USB recovery drive or deploying PXE via Configuration Manager for enterprise environments.
This release represents the second major issue with WinRE this year, following an earlier glitch in August. Microsoft has not detailed how the October bug bypassed testing protocols.
