Top 7 Windows Update Issues After October 2025 Release and How to Fix Them

Windows 11 Version 25H2 brought significant security enhancements, but it also introduced several technical hiccups for users worldwide. Based on widespread reports, these seven issues have emerged as the most common since the October updates rolled out.

1. Mouse and Keyboard Failure in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

Following the KB5066835 security update (October 14), many users found their USB mice and keyboards unresponsive in WinRE. This critical problem left users stranded during system recovery processes after encountering blue screens.

Resolution:
Microsoft issued the KB5070773 update on October 20 to address this. If you're still affected:

• Use PS/2 peripherals if available
• Leverage touchscreen navigation
• Boot from a pre-made USB recovery drive

2. Smart Card Authentication Failures

The same October update triggered certificate validation errors affecting:
– Document signing workflows
– VPN connections
– Corporate authentication systems

Fix (Registry Edition):

1. Open Registry Editor via Windows+R (type “regedit”)
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftCryptographyCalais
3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named “MaxSupportedCalaisVersion”
4. Set its value to 15243 (Decimal)
5. Reboot your system

Important: Always back up your registry before making changes.

3. Blue Screen Errors During Boot

Multiple users reported SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED crashes related to driver conflicts, especially with older peripherals.

Troubleshooting Steps:

• Boot into Safe Mode (Shift+Restart)
• Run DISM tool: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
• Update drivers through Device Manager
• Check manufacturer websites for firmware updates

4. Network Connectivity Drops

Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections became unstable after the update for users with specific network chipsets (particularly older Intel and Realtek hardware).

Workarounds:

1. Disable then re-enable network adapter
2. Reset network stack: netsh int ip reset
3. Install manufacturer-provided drivers instead of Windows Update versions

5. File Explorer Performance Issues

Users observed:
– Slow folder loading times
– Thumbnail preview failures
– Context menu delays

Optimization Techniques:

• Run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) for system files
• Rebuild search index via Control Panel
• Disable unnecessary shell extensions

6. Printing Service Crashes

Enterprise environments reported print spooler failures with error 0x000006e4 when using network printers.

Resolution Path:
1. Restart Print Spooler service via services.msc
2. Install latest printer drivers manually
3. Check for Group Policy conflicts in domain environments

7. Battery Drain on Laptops

Power consumption increased by 15-30% on some portable devices due to background process leaks.

Power Management Fixes:

• Review battery usage per app in Settings
• Disable unnecessary startup programs
• Reset power plan to default settings
• Check for BIOS/UEFI firmware updates

Best Practices Moving Forward

While Microsoft continues releasing patches, proactive measures can minimize disruption:

1. Create system restore points before major updates
2. Maintain updated driver backups
3. Stagger deployment in enterprise environments
4. Monitor Microsoft's known issues tracker regularly

Most problems can be resolved through subsequent patches or targeted troubleshooting. When encountering update-related issues, always check for new cumulative updates before attempting complex fixes. For critical systems, consider delaying major updates until initial compatibility reports surface.