Windows 11's Recovery Environment: A Bug That Blocks Fixes

Windows 11's October update, KB5066835, brought more than just new features. It also introduced a bug that stops users from using the Windows Recovery Environment (RE). This tool is designed to help fix issues when a simple restart doesn't cut it. But now, if your PC has trouble starting up, it might automatically boot into Windows RE, leaving you stuck because your mouse and keyboard won't work. The bug messes up USB device functionality specifically in Windows RE. So, even if you can access the recovery environment, you can't navigate or select any options to fix your PC. This is a big problem, especially if your PC is having trouble starting up. You're left staring at a screen you can't interact with. Microsoft has released a patch, KB5070773, to fix this issue. If you can still access Windows normally, you can update your PC through Settings > Windows Update. But if your PC is stuck in Windows RE, you might need to use a touchscreen, PS/2 ports, or a USB recovery drive to get things back on track. Windows 11 has had a rough month. The same October update also broke localhost functionality, which affected apps that connect to local services. Microsoft did release a fix for that, but it's still a lot to deal with. Plus, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 last week, leaving many users to wonder about their PC's security. This Windows RE bug is just another headache for PC users. Here's hoping Microsoft's next Windows 11 build brings only fixes and no new bugs.