Anyone who has installed the latest October update for Windows 11 should be cautious: Microsoft confirms that problems with USB keyboards and mice may occur after installing update KB5066835 .

Keyboard and mice fail in recovery mode

After installing the latest October update, you may find that USB input devices refuse to work in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This means that if you enter recovery mode—for example, to repair Windows or reset your PC —you will no longer be able to select any options, either with the keyboard or the mouse. (In normal Windows 11 operation, however, everything works as usual.)

According to Microsoft, the error occurs on all current client and server versions, including Windows 11 version 24H2, Windows 11 version 25H2, and Windows Server 2025

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