Summary
- Windows 11 Experimental gets Cloud Rebuild to recover systems that can’t boot.
- It downloads the Windows image and device drivers from Windows Update; no USB or custom image needed.
- The feature is in public testing now; expect it to reach the release branch in the coming months if stable.
Whenever Windows encounters a serious enough problem that it can’t even boot, there are tools available to help you get back on track. However, most of them will require some sort of installation media, and when you do get back in, you may notice some drivers are missing. Fortunately, it appears that Microsoft is making the PC recovery process much easier with a new “Cloud Rebuild” tool currently undergoing public testing.
It’s still being worked on right now, though
As announced on Windows’ Blog, a new build is available in the Windows 11 Experimental branch. If you’re unsure as to what that is, it’s where Microsoft first releases features for people to test. Once it’s proven stable enough, it makes its way to the Beta branch and then to release.
This time, the Experimental branch is getting a handy repair feature called Cloud Rebuild. This lets you recover Windows 11 to a last good configuration, even when it can’t boot. Windows experts will know that this sounds very familiar to Reset This PC, but as Microsoft explains, this new method has an ace up its sleeve:
Unlike Reset this PC, Cloud rebuild downloads both the target Windows image and the device’s drivers from Windows Update, so the device comes back fully functional without USB media, without a custom image, and without depending on the health of the currently installed OS.
Microsoft hasn’t confirmed when this handy new feature will arrive, but it should appear on the release branch in the coming months, if all goes well.
