Skip to main content TechRadar the technology experts Search TechRadar View Profile België (Nederlands) Deutschland North America US (English) Australasia New Zealand Popular Phone Brands Samsung Galaxy Google Pixel Operating Systems More from Phones Network Carriers Phone Accessories Phone Reviews Phone Buying Guides Phone Deals Chromebooks Windows Laptops Gaming Laptops Desktop PCs Websites & Apps Wi-Fi & Broadband Social Media Cyber Security Peripherals Popular Computing Brands More from Computing Computing Reviews Computing Buying Guides Computing Deals Computing News AI Platforms & Assistants Apple Intelligence TV Insights TV Buying Guides More for your TV Home Theatre Streaming Devices Entertainment Prime Video How to Watch Smartwatches Fitness Trackers Exercise Equipment Fitness Headphones Fitness Apps Smart Rings Watch Brands Apple Watch Google Pixel Watch Samsung Galaxy Watch Oral Health More from Fitness Fitness News Fitness Reviews Fitness Buying Guides Fitness Deals Earbus & Airpods Wireless Headphones Wireless Speakers Portable Players Audio Streaming Apple Music More from Audio Audio Reviews Audio Buying Guides Audio Deals VPN Services VPN Security Camera Types 360 Cameras Camera Brands More from Cameras Camera Accessories Camera Lenses Camera Reviews Camera Buying Guides Camera Deals Camera News Photography Home Security Smart Speakers Smart Lights Smart Scales Smart Thermostats Amazon Echo Small Appliances Air Quality Coffee Machines Robot Vacuums Home Brands Philips Hue More from Home Home Reviews Home Buying Guides Popular Brands Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming View Phones Popular Phone Brands Samsung Galaxy Google Pixel Operating Systems More from Phones Network Carriers Phone Accessories Phone Reviews Phone Buying Guides Phone Deals View Computing View Laptops Chromebooks Windows Laptops Gaming Laptops Desktop PCs View Software Components View Components View Internet Websites & Apps Wi-Fi & Broadband Social Media View Security Cyber Security View Tablets Peripherals View Peripherals Popular Computing Brands More from Computing Computing Reviews Computing Buying Guides Computing Deals Computing News AI Platforms & Assistants Apple Intelligence TV Insights TV Buying Guides More for your TV Home Theatre Streaming Devices View Streaming Entertainment Prime Video How to Watch View Fitness Smartwatches Fitness Trackers Exercise Equipment Fitness Headphones Fitness Apps Smart Rings Watch Brands Apple Watch Google Pixel Watch Samsung Galaxy Watch Oral Health More from Fitness Fitness News Fitness Reviews Fitness Buying Guides Fitness Deals Headphones View Headphones Earbus & Airpods Wireless Headphones View Speakers Wireless Speakers Portable Players Audio Streaming View Audio Streaming Apple Music More from Audio Audio Reviews Audio Buying Guides Audio Deals VPN Services VPN Security View Cameras Camera Types 360 Cameras Camera Brands More from Cameras Camera Accessories Camera Lenses Camera Reviews Camera Buying Guides Camera Deals Camera News Photography Smart Home View Smart Home Home Security Smart Speakers Smart Lights Smart Scales Smart Thermostats Amazon Echo Small Appliances View Small Appliances Air Quality Coffee Machines Robot Vacuums Home Brands Philips Hue More from Home Home Reviews Home Buying Guides View Browse Popular Brands Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming Back to school Best laptop Nintendo Switch 2 NYT Wordle today Best web hosting Recommended reading Microsoft investigates nasty Windows 11 bug that leaves PCs unable to boot – here’s what you need to know Microsoft takes unusual step of delaying a Windows 11 update, leaving some PC gamers still waiting for crucial fixes for 24H2 Microsoft explains game-crashing bug in latest Windows 11 update, says it ‘likely didn’t’ affect many people Windows 11’s new update is reportedly proving a nightmare to install for some, but I’m hardly surprised given its messy rollout Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC Still on Windows 11 23H2 because you’re worried 24H2 is a disaster for PC gaming? Microsoft’s latest update could persuade you to finally upgrade Latest Windows 11 update fail brings yet more installation woes – but some other reported bugs have me seriously worried Can't reset your Windows 11 or 10 PC? Microsoft rushes out fix after breaking vital recovery features Darren Allan 20 August 2025 August update has scuppered PC reset abilities When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock) 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. You may like Microsoft investigates nasty Windows 11 bug that leaves PCs unable to boot – here’s what you need to know Microsoft takes unusual step of delaying a Windows 11 update, leaving some PC gamers still waiting for crucial fixes for 24H2 Microsoft explains game-crashing bug in latest Windows 11 update, says it ‘likely didn’t’ affect many people 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). (Image credit: Shutterstock / ra2 studio) 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. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. 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. You might also like I was about to upgrade to Windows 11, but I've decided to stick with Windows 10 – here's why Microsoft exec's vision of Windows 12 and beyond could terrify some of you Microsoft promises to crack one of the biggest problems with Windows 11: slow performance See more Computing News Darren Allan Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013). You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Microsoft investigates nasty Windows 11 bug that leaves PCs unable to boot – here’s what you need to know Microsoft takes unusual step of delaying a Windows 11 update, leaving some PC gamers still waiting for crucial fixes for 24H2 Microsoft explains game-crashing bug in latest Windows 11 update, says it ‘likely didn’t’ affect many people Windows 11’s new update is reportedly proving a nightmare to install for some, but I’m hardly surprised given its messy rollout Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC Still on Windows 11 23H2 because you’re worried 24H2 is a disaster for PC gaming? Microsoft’s latest update could persuade you to finally upgrade Latest in Windows I was about to upgrade to Windows 11, but I've decided to stick with Windows 10 – here's why Bug in Windows 11 update reportedly breaks some SSDs - and Microsoft says it's now 'investigating' Windows 11 could finally get a finished dark mode – but I can't believe how long it's taken Microsoft stuffs more AI into Windows 11 - but the only feature I really want comes with a big catch Microsoft exec's vision of Windows 12 and beyond could terrify some of you Tearing your hair out because you can't sign up for Windows 10 extended updates? New patch fixes annoying bug and makes support to October 2026 available for all Latest in News Ever wanted to listen to your Google Docs? 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