Microsoft fixes USB input bug that broke WinRE access
🔧 Microsoft released an out-of-band cumulative update, KB5070773, to restore USB mouse and keyboard functionality in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) after October 2025 security updates disabled USB input in recovery on affected client and server builds. The patch began rolling out on October 20, 2025 and Microsoft recommends installing the latest updates. If a device cannot boot to install the patch, workarounds include using a touchscreen’s touch keyboard, connecting PS/2 peripherals, or booting from a previously created USB recovery drive.
