Can't reset your Windows 11 or 10 PC? Microsoft rushes out fix after breaking vital recovery features

• The August update for Windows 11 and 10 broke recovery features
• That includes options to reset the PC and fix problems using Windows Update
• All of these fail to work after the most recent patch, but thankfully Microsoft has now deployed a fix

Microsoft has rushed out an emergency fix for a problem caused by the most recent Windows 11 update (and Windows 10 patch), which has broken reset and recovery features that are designed to rescue your PC when it runs into serious trouble.

Bleeping Computer spotted Microsoft's announcement of the release of the fix which has been delivered as an 'out of band' update, meaning it's a cumulative update that's been deployed outside the usual timing.

It's the resolution for a bug affecting the reset powers of Windows 11 (versions 23H2 and 22H2) and Windows 10 (22H2), which was introduced with the August updates that arrived for these operating systems last week. The cure is packed in cumulative updates that are the same as those original August patches, except for having the fix bundled in, too.

If you've installed Microsoft's August patch, and you're running one of the affected versions of Windows, you should therefore install this new update on top. It's labelled KB5066189 for Windows 11, and KB5066188 for Windows 10, and you can find it by checking for updates in the Windows Update panel. Note that it'll appear under optional updates.

If you haven't installed the August patch yet, you should simply apply this one instead (from optional updates).

Analysis: road to recovery leads to a dead end

I should make it clear that this affects all versions of Windows 10 and 11 that are in support – except for the very latest take on Windows 11, 24H2. It's rare that those on Windows 11 24H2 aren't hit by a bug – those people have been suffering the most since that newest take on Microsoft's desktop OS came out.

As to the specifics of what the bug in question breaks, it’s the ability to reset the PC, which allows you to revert the system back to its original state – essentially a reinstall of Windows 11 – or reset and keep your personal data (but not apps or settings). A second option to 'Fix problems using Windows Update' is also affected, which is essentially the same as the latter reset option, where you keep your personal files, but this also holds onto apps and settings – so it's just reinstalling the Windows system itself.

Due to the glitch, all these processes will fail, which is obviously going to leave you very much in the lurch when it comes to trying to recover from a problem. You won't be able to get anywhere, although the bug itself won't cause any further detriment to the condition of your PC. The reset or recovery procedure will simply fall over.

These aren't features that you'll need to use often – hopefully – and so the effect of this bug may not have been felt all that widely initially (which is likely why the flaw didn't come to light immediately). Still, it's going to be pretty annoying if you do need a reset or repair for your Windows 11 or 10 PC – as obviously things aren't going well with the operating system if you're resorting to such measures – hence why Microsoft has been quick to push out this fix.

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