smart cards Archives

Winsage

October 23, 2025

‘Unusable’—Microsoft Issues Emergency Update For All Windows 11 Users

Microsoft's recent mandatory security update, "Windows 11 KB5070773," has caused significant issues for users, including problems with localhost connections and a breakdown in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), rendering essential peripherals like mice and keyboards non-functional. This emergency update is being rolled out to address the critical issue of non-responsive input devices in WinRE, which hampers recovery processes. Users must download and install the update manually, although it is designed to occur automatically for Windows 11 PCs on versions 24H2 and 25H2. The update will upgrade version 25H2 to Build 26200.6901 and version 24H2 to 26100.6901. Microsoft has acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the issue prevents navigation of recovery options within WinRE. Additionally, some users are experiencing errors related to smart card authentication and certificates, with a temporary workaround suggested by Microsoft.

Winsage

October 20, 2025

Windows 10 KB5066791 last update without ESU, direct download links (.msu)

Windows 10 KB5066791 is the final update for users not opting for Extended Security Updates (ESU). It addresses several bugs, primarily benefiting enterprise users, while providing minimal enhancements for consumers. The update is distributed via Windows Update, with direct download links available for manual installation. Upon installation, users may not notice visible changes, and it appears as “2025-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5066791).” Windows 10 Build 19045.6456 does not introduce significant new features but fixes issues, including a correction for the Chinese Input Method Editor (IME) and a bug affecting Windows Remote Management. A new servicing stack update has been introduced, and the legacy driver tmdm64.sys has been removed. Security has been enhanced with a requirement for Key Storage Provider (KSP) smart card certificates, which may cause issues with smart cards in older 32-bit applications. Microsoft has confirmed that KB5066791 can lead to smart card failures, particularly in older programs, and has provided registry modification steps for users to potentially resolve this issue. The first security update for users opting for Windows 10 ESU is scheduled for November 11, 2025. Users can enroll through the Windows Update page or purchase a paid option through the Windows Store for .99, extending updates until October 13, 2026.