Published Oct 20, 2025, 5:48 PM EDT
Gavin is the Segment Lead for the Technology Explained, Security, Internet, Streaming, and Entertainment verticals, former co-host on the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Contemporary Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, more than a decade of professional writing experience, and his work has appeared on How-To Geek, Expert Reviews, Trusted Reviews, Online Tech Tips, and Help Desk Geek, among others. Gavin has attended CES, IFA, MWC, and other tech-trade shows to report directly from the floor, racking up hundreds of thousands of steps in the process. He's reviewed more headphones, earbuds, and mechanical keyboards than he cares to remember, and enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.
Don't break your computer any time soon. At least, not until Microsoft fixes a little mess that is has made of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), which currently won't play nicely with your USB keyboard and mouse.
An update released to Windows 11 machines on October 14, 2025, has had some seriously unforseen consquences, specifically affecting your ability to fix and recover your device—and we're still waiting to hear about a fix.
Microsoft breaks the Windows Recovery Environment
Which means you shouldn't break your PC right now
Credit: Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf
Microsoft confirmed the issue on October 17, 2025, revealing that a recent Windows security update was causing "USB devices, such as keyboards and mice, do not function in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)."
Basically, if you enter WinRE, you can't use any USB keyboard or mice, making it very difficult repair your device.
It's quite a problem, really. The lack of any navigation options in Windows Recovery Environment basically renders it pointless for people when they need the most assistance. For anyone not aware of this temporary error, fixing a broken device is going to be a whole lot more confusing, and incredibly difficult to boot.
Furthermore, it's not like Microsoft isn't taking action. According to PC World, two recovery updates aimed to fix the problem haven't worked, leaving anyone needing to using WinRE out of luck and facing delays.
So, if you haven't yet installed Windows security update KB5066835, skip it for now, and wait for Microsoft to release a solution.
There is a workaround
But you need specific hardware
Now, there are a couple of workarounds, but I've not had the chance to try them, as my PC is working fine (and I'm actually still using Windows 10, more to the point).
Theoretically, you should be able to use an old PS/2 connector for your mouse or keyboard. But that'll only work if you have an older keyboard or mouse lying around, and your motherboard still has a PS/2 input. Given USB is now the default standard for most peripherals, most folks will be out of luck with this.
So, for now, if you can help it, please don't break your PC. It could take some time to get fixed up if you do, even if you know the best ways to recover your system.