Microsoft is testing a new feature for Windows 11 that allows you to completely reinstall the operating system and drivers directly from the cloud. The tool works even in cases where the device stops booting.
Microsoft is testing a new feature for Windows 11 that allows you to completely reinstall the operating system and drivers directly from the cloud. The tool works even in cases where the device stops booting.
This was reported by PC Gamer with reference to the announcement on the Microsoft developer blog .
A new option called Cloud Restore has been added to the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26220.9343. Unlike the standard Reset this PC tool, the feature downloads a fresh, verified Windows 11 image and up-to-date device drivers directly from Windows Update servers.
“We’re introducing Cloud Restore, a new recovery option that returns your Windows 11 PC to a clean, tested state by completely reinstalling the OS, even if Windows won’t boot,” Microsoft says.
The main advantage of the new system is that there is no need to create a bootable USB flash drive or rely on a local recovery partition. This makes the tool useful in cases where the system partition is damaged or there is a risk of malware infecting the operating system files.
You can use the feature through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) under Troubleshoot > Recovery and Uninstall > Cloud Recovery. The only requirement to complete the procedure is an active Internet connection via Ethernet or Wi-Fi directly in WinRE.
Previously, Windows users had to use third-party PCs to create an installation drive for a clean install in the event of a critical failure. The gradual integration of cloud recovery tools is part of a Windows 11 system update aimed at simplifying device maintenance without the need for additional hardware.
Recall that for the fiscal year ended June 30, Microsoft's revenue grew by 18% or $50.1 billion, reaching $331.8 billion. The corporation's main driving forces were cloud services and artificial intelligence monetization , while the Xbox and Windows divisions continue to lose ground.
