Microsoft Patches Windows 11 Bug That Broke USB Devices: Heres What To Do

If your mouse or keyboard suddenly stopped working inside Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) after a recent update, you weren’t alone. Microsoft’s October 2025 security update (KB5066835) unintentionally broke USB input devices for many Windows 11 users, making it impossible to navigate recovery options. Also Read: 7 Underrated Windows Features You’ll Actually Use

The problem didn’t affect Windows itself – USB devices continued working fine once you logged in. But inside WinRE, where users go to repair or restore their PC, the mouse and keyboard were dead. Also Read: After Windows 10 End, Windows 11 Gets New AI Features: ‘Hey Copilot’ Voice And Vision

Microsoft’s Fix For Windows 11

A week after the issue surfaced, Microsoft rolled out an out-of-band update (KB5070773) to fix it. This emergency patch restores USB support inside WinRE and comes with additional improvements carried over from the earlier update.

The fix is now live for both Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft recommends users install the latest update to ensure their system stays secure and fully functional. Microsoft says, “We recommend you install the latest update for your device as it contains important improvements and issue resolutions, including this one.”

What Should You Do If You Are Still Stuck?

If your PC can’t boot or you can’t install the latest update right away, there are a few temporary fixes you can try:

• Use touchscreen input if your device supports it.
• Plug in a PS/2 keyboard or mouse if you have a port for it.
• Boot from a USB recovery drive, which restores proper USB functionality in WinRE.

For enterprises, Microsoft has advised IT admins to deploy the patch using tools like the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) or the Windows ADK with WinPE to recover affected systems across networks.

This fix is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to address recent Windows issues. Alongside this patch, the company also addressed problems related to smart card authentication and Active Directory on some Windows Server builds.

While the October update caused its fair share of frustration, the quick response shows Microsoft’s ongoing effort to keep Windows 11 stable – even when updates don’t go as planned.