Running Windows 11? Install This Emergency Patch Before You Use Recovery Mode - Here's Why

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• A caller Microsoft update patches a bug affecting Windows recovery.
• The bug prevented nan usage of USB mice and keyboards successful WinRE.
• The caller spot is disposable done Windows Update.

Microsoft has fixed a superior glitch that affected Windows 11 users who needed to trust connected nan Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to troubleshoot boot-up issues.

Out-of-band patch

Rolled retired connected Monday, KB5070773 patches a bug that prevented galore group from utilizing USB mice and keyboards successful WinRE, fundamentally rendering it intolerable -- aliases astatine slightest difficult -- to navigate and use. Microsoft itself introduced nan flaw a week agone pinch nan Windows October update, affecting Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, arsenic good arsenic Windows Server 2025.

Also: Your Windows 11 PC has an emergency shutdown characteristic - here's wherever to find it

Most Windows bugs are annoying and frustrating. But this 1 proved to beryllium serious, forcing Microsoft to push retired an out-of-band spot alternatively than hold for nan adjacent monthly update.

WinRE is simply a betterment instrumentality that will measurement successful if Windows is incapable to footwear up properly. In immoderate cases, nan instrumentality whitethorn commencement automatically and effort to repair nan issue. In different cases, you tin manually usage it to tally definite options, specified arsenic a recovery drive aliases Safe Mode. The extremity present is to constrictive down nan origin of nan problem truthful that you tin either repair it aliases effort a betterment action to bring Windows backmost to life.

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Also: Microsoft said my PC can't tally Windows 11, but I upgraded successful 5 minutes anyhow - here's how

Prior to nan patch, 1 of nan fewer workarounds was to usage a PS/2-style mouse, keyboard, and port. But those person mostly gone nan measurement of nan dinosaurs. If you're moving Windows 11, it's improbable you'd person these types of peripherals and a PC that supports them. That's why you'll want to instal nan caller spot ASAP and make judge WinRE is capable to activity decently if you ever do request it.

How to update

To update your PC, caput to Settings, prime Windows Update, and past click nan fastener to cheque for updates. You should spot a cumulative update for Windows designated arsenic KB5070773. If so, let it to download and install. Reboot your PC, and the Windows Recovery Environment should activity arsenic usual, assuming nan request ever arises.

Also: Leaving Windows 10 today? How to clear your caller Windows 11 PC cache (and commencement fresh)

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