Less than a week after Microsoft halted critical security updates for millions of devices still using Windows 10, those who rely on its successor — Windows 11 — have been facing a headache of their own.
A glitch in the latest mandatory update for Windows 11 devices, dubbed KB5066835, stops peripherals like mice and keyboards from working properly when in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), blocking you from accessing menus to help troubleshoot your device.
As the name suggests, Windows Recovery Environment is where you'll find yourself if your laptop or desktop PC fails to switch on. It's designed to be a safe space where you can run diagnostics to help troubleshoot what's going awry on your machine.
It goes without saying that if you can't move your mouse or type on the keyboard in WinRE, it's going to be much tougher to determine what's gone wrong and get your PC back up and running.
The Windows Recovery Environment is where you'll find yourself if your laptop or desktop fails to switch on
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However, an update titled KB5070773 has just been released to help restore these functionalities.
To install the update, follow these steps:
- Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Windows Update: Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Check for Updates: Click on Check for updates. If KB5070773 is available, it should appear in the list.
- Install the Update: Click Download and install. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Restart Your Computer: After installation, restart your PC to apply the changes
This update comes just as Microsoft is claiming that if you switch to Windows 11, your PC will be twice as fast.
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If you avoid the switch to Windows 11, you'll miss out on new Windows features, which will be exclusive to the Windows 10 successor moving forward
| MICROSOFT PRESS OFFICEBy some estimates, 5 million Britons are still relying on Windows 10 despite the vulnerabilities now baked into that operating system. This means if you're using your laptop or desktop PC for online banking, financial spreadsheets, family photos, or other personal data, cybercriminals are much more likely to unearth a new loophole in Windows 10.
Microsoft will continue to offer free security updates to any Windows 10 user who signs-up to OneDrive cloud back-up. If not, there's a one-off £22 charge to ensure your device remains protected. The Redmond-based company clearly wants you to upgrade to Windows 11 sooner rather than later, despite offering this temporary reprieve.
If you avoid the switch to Windows 11, you'll miss out on new Windows features, which will be exclusive to the Windows 10 successor moving forward.
However, the decision isn't straightforward for everyone, as Windows 10 has been shown to deliver better gaming performance than Windows 11 in some scenarios, providing a compelling reason for some users to resist the switch. There could also be compatibility issues with specific accessories or software.