- Cloud Rebuild installs a new version of Windows directly from… the cloud
- It will even work on PCs where Windows is damaged or files are missing.
- Now available in preview, it is being tested ahead of general availability.
Microsoft has introduced a new Windows 11 recovery feature that installs a full version of Windows directly from cloud servers, without users having to rely on separate installation media.
The new tool is designed to work even when PCs have been damaged, giving users a completely fresh installation.
Although existing PC reset tools can already download Windows from the cloud, the recovery may fail if local Windows files are corrupted or missing, making it a much more comprehensive tool.
Cloud reconstruction
With Cloud Rebuild designed to work even when Windows doesn’t boot at all, it includes everything from the latest supported Windows image to device-specific drivers, meaning users can skip the task of downloading drivers from PC manufacturers.
In terms of user experience, it eliminates the need for users to set up bootable USB installers and handle complex ISO files.
The update is currently available as a Windows 11 Insider preview, but Microsoft plans to expand its reach after testing. “Remote launch from an enterprise endpoint management solution, such as Microsoft Intune, will be available in a later release,” the company added on a support page.
Being a preview product, Microsoft also noted that some features, UX, and command line options may change before it reaches general availability.
While the two operating systems work differently, with Apple controlling the hardware and software and creating a completely different driver landscape, Microsoft’s Cloud Rebuild brings Windows closer to a recovery model and user experience that macOS users have enjoyed since the company launched Internet Recovery in 2011.
Microsoft has not yet provided more information about the timeline for the full release of Cloud Rebuild.
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