Microsoft releases an emergency update (out-of-band) to fix Windows Recovery issues in Windows 11 24H2/ 25H2

Microsoft has recently released the October 2025 update (KB5066835) for Windows 11 version 24H2/25H2. After the users installed the update, it was observed that the localhost no longer connected with the system, and Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) also broke.

The bug in the update effectively rendered WinRE unusable and broke mouse and keyboard support in WinRE. This means users were not able to troubleshoot or recover their PC even when on the WinRE screen, as they couldn’t use the mouse or keyboard to navigate.

As soon as these issues were noticed by Microsoft, they used a server-side update to quickly reverse changes that broke localhost, but the second problem, which broke Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), could not be rolled back via server-side changes.

Therefore, Microsoft is now rolling out an emergency update (out-of-band) to patch this issue in Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.

Microsoft has just released an emergency update (out-of-band) to fix Windows Recovery issues in Windows 11 24H2 / 25H2.

A bug that shipped to everyone with the October 2025 security update effectively rendered WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) unusable.

The update broke… pic.twitter.com/hAc7ccIHu3

— Windows Latest (@WindowsLatest) October 20, 2025

The emergency patch Windows 11 K85070773 comes with build 26200.6901 (25H2) and 26100.6901 (24H2). It is rolled out via Windows Update.

Also, if a user is already stuck on WinRE and is unable to install the out-of-band update, they are advised to use the touchscreen if the PC supports it or just get a PS/2 keyboard or mouse (if your PC has a PS/2 port). When nothing works, you can use a USB Recovery drive, which will allow you to boot your computer.

So far, no issues have been found on the newly released emergency update. It is also revealed that the November 2025 Patch Tuesday, which releases on November 11, will include the WinRE patch.