How to Reinstall Windows 11 Without a USB Using Cloud Rebuild

You can now reinstall Windows 11 without a USB drive. Microsoft’s Cloud rebuild, added in the optional KB5127936 update released on October 28, 2026 for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 26H2, downloads a fresh copy of Windows and your PC’s drivers from Windows Update and installs them, even when Windows no longer starts. The catch: it wipes everything on the PC, so you need a backup first.

Microsoft first tested the feature with Windows Insiders earlier this year, as we reported in July. It is now rolling out gradually to regular users, so it may not appear on every PC right away. Here is what it does, what you need, and how to use it step by step.

What Is Cloud Rebuild in Windows 11?

Cloud rebuild is a recovery option that performs a full operating system reinstall from Microsoft’s servers. It restarts the PC into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), connects to the internet, downloads the Windows image and the drivers the device needs, removes your data and installs Windows. When it finishes, the PC boots into the same setup screens you see on a brand new computer.

It shipped as part of a larger optional update that also brought a customizable right-click menu and other changes to File Explorer. Because the update is optional, you have to install it manually from Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog unless you wait for it to arrive with the regular monthly update.

How Is It Different From Reset This PC?

Windows 11 already has Reset this PC, which can keep your files and reinstall Windows from a local copy or a cloud download. According to Microsoft’s documentation for IT administrators, Cloud rebuild goes further: it downloads both the target Windows image and the device’s drivers from Windows Update, so it does not depend on the health of the installed system. That makes it the option to try when Windows files are badly damaged or the PC fails to boot.

The trade-off is that Cloud rebuild never keeps your files, apps, accounts or settings. Files already synced to OneDrive or another cloud service are not affected, but anything stored only on the PC is gone.

What You Need Before You Reinstall Windows 11 With Cloud Rebuild

• Windows 11 version 25H2 or 26H2 with KB5127936 (the October 2026 non-security update) or a later update installed.
• A working Windows Recovery Environment. You can check it by running “reagentc /info” from an elevated Command Prompt.
• An internet connection in WinRE, over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. This depends on the PC maker including a compatible network driver in the recovery environment.
• Hardware that meets the Windows 11 minimum requirements.
• A full backup of your personal files, and the PC plugged into power.

On Wi-Fi, the same update lets WinRE reuse networks already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based networks, so many PCs can get online during recovery without typing a password again. Otherwise you can pick a WPA-Personal network and enter its key when prompted.

How to Reinstall Windows 11 Without a USB, Step by Step

If Windows still starts

1. Open Settings and go to System, then Recovery.
2. Next to Rebuild this PC, select Rebuild PC. The computer restarts into WinRE and starts Cloud rebuild.
3. Let it connect to the network. Ethernet connects automatically; on Wi-Fi, choose your network if asked.
4. Wait while it contacts Windows Update to determine the target Windows build and download network drivers.
5. Review the Windows build, edition and language, confirm the data loss warning and choose how your files are removed.

If Windows won’t boot

After several failed starts in a row, the PC opens WinRE on its own. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot, then Recovery and uninstall, then Cloud rebuild, and follow the same steps as above, according to the KB5127936 release notes.

Remove Files or Remove and Sanitize?

Cloud rebuild offers two options. “Remove files” is faster and suits a PC you plan to keep, but Microsoft notes the deleted data might still be recoverable with specialized tools. “Remove & sanitize files” uses the storage drive’s built-in secure erase feature before Windows is reinstalled. It is the right choice before you sell, return, recycle or give away a computer, but it can take much longer and cannot be undone.

Whichever you choose, do not turn off or restart the PC while Cloud rebuild is running. Microsoft warns that an interrupted rebuild can leave Windows unable to start. The PC may look idle for a long time during sanitizing and may restart several times during installation. The full walkthrough is on Microsoft’s Cloud rebuild support page.

Can IT Admins Use Cloud Rebuild Remotely?

Yes. Administrators can configure and start a Cloud rebuild through the Recovery CSP in management tools such as Microsoft Intune, either on the currently installed build or a specified target build. After the rebuild, managed devices go through setup again and can re-provision automatically with Windows Autopilot, Intune and OneDrive, according to Microsoft Learn.

What It Means for You

For most people, the main benefit is not having to find a spare USB stick, download the Media Creation Tool and boot from external media when Windows breaks. If your PC still works and you only want a cleaner system, Reset this PC with “Keep my files” is the gentler first step. Cloud rebuild is the stronger fix for a system that will not start or keeps failing, and a convenient way to wipe a PC securely before handing it on. It is one of several practical additions Microsoft has shipped this year, following earlier Windows 11 feature updates.