Cloud rebuild (Preview) | Microsoft Learn
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Cloud rebuild (Preview)
Applies to: ✅ Windows 11
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Important
Cloud rebuild is in preview. Use it for evaluation on non-production devices only. Features, UX, and command-line options may change before general availability.
Cloud rebuild enables IT administrators and users to restore a Windows 11 PC to a clean, known-good state by performing a full operating system reinstall. Unlike Reset your 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 integrity of the installed operating system. After the rebuild completes, the device proceeds through the out-of-box experience (OOBE), and managed devices can re-provision automatically through Windows Autopilot, Microsoft Intune, Backup for Organizations, and OneDrive.
How it works
In the Windows Insider preview release, Cloud rebuild can be initiated from the WinRE troubleshooting menu by a user with physical access to the device, or from an elevated command prompt in Windows by a local administrator. Remote initiation from an enterprise endpoint management solution, such as Microsoft Intune, will be available in a later release. The subsections below describe the prerequisites and the step-by-step instructions for each preview entry point.
Prerequisites
Before initiating Cloud rebuild, confirm the following on the target device:
The device is running Windows 11 and has a healthy Windows Recovery Environment. You can confirm WinRE is enabled by running reagentc /info from an elevated command prompt.
The device manufacturer has included a compatible networking driver in the Windows Recovery Environment, and the device can reach the internet from WinRE through either a wired Ethernet connection or a personal (WPA-Personal) Wi-Fi connection.
The device meets Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements.
Start Cloud rebuild from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
Enter the Windows Recovery Environment. This happens automatically after repeated boot failures, or the user can launch it manually from Windows by going to Settings > System > Recovery and selecting Restart now next to Advanced startup .
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On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot , and then select Cloud rebuild .
Cloud rebuild attempts to connect to the network. If the device is connected to Ethernet, the connection completes automatically. If only Wi-Fi is available, select a WPA-Personal network and provide the passkey when prompted.
Wait for Cloud rebuild to finish preparing. Cloud rebuild contacts Windows Update to determine the target Windows build and to download the device's networking drivers.
Review the rebuild target state. Confirm that the displayed Windows build, edition, and language match the expected target before continuing.
Review and acknowledge the data loss warning, and then select Continue to start the rebuild.
Warning
Cloud rebuild reformats the system disk and removes all locally stored files, accounts, apps, and settings. Data stored in cloud services such as OneDrive is not affected.
Cloud rebuild moves through the preparation, download, and install phases. Progress is displayed on screen. The device may restart one or more times during this process. Do not power off the device.
Warning
Keep the device connected to power until Cloud rebuild is complete. Do not manually restart or power off the device while Cloud rebuild is preparing, downloading, or installing Windows. Interrupting the process can leave Windows unable to boot. If this happens, recover the device by using Recovery Drive - Microsoft Support, Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support, or recovery media provided by the device manufacturer.
When the rebuild completes, the device boots into the Windows out-of-box experience (OOBE).
After the rebuild completes
After Cloud rebuild finishes, the device boots into the Windows out-of-box experience (OOBE). For unmanaged devices, the user completes OOBE just as they would on a new PC. For Microsoft Entra–joined and Intune-managed devices that are registered with Windows Autopilot, the device automatically reconnects to Microsoft Intune, Intune redeploys the apps and policies assigned to the user or device, Backup for Organizations restores user settings, and user files are available through OneDrive once the user signs in.
Troubleshooting
If...