Windows 11 Cloud Rebuild: Can Your PC Do It?
Cloud rebuild reinstalls Windows 11 from the cloud, drivers included. Tick the seven things Microsoft says it needs, or look up the error code it gave you.
Before you start
0 of 7 ticked.
Got an error code?
How to start a Cloud rebuild
- Windows starts: Settings > System > Recovery, then select Rebuild PC next to “Rebuild this PC”. The PC restarts into the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Windows won’t start: after several failed starts the PC opens the Recovery Environment by itself. On “Choose an option” select Troubleshoot, then Cloud rebuild.
- Connect to a network (Ethernet connects by itself; for Wi-Fi pick the network and enter the password) and wait while it checks Windows Update.
- Choose Remove files or Remove & sanitize files, confirm the Windows build, edition and language shown, read the data-loss warning and continue.
- Leave it plugged in and don’t restart it. When it finishes, the PC starts at the out-of-box setup.
Cloud rebuild error codes
| Code | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0x8007027F | Started while the PC was not plugged in. | Plug the PC in, start Cloud rebuild again and keep it plugged in until it finishes. |
| 0x800704C6 | No network connection. | Connect Ethernet or pick a Wi-Fi network, select Cancel on the error screen, then Troubleshoot > Cloud rebuild and continue. |
| 0xc1900200 | The PC does not meet the Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements. Most common cause: TPM turned off. | Turn TPM on in the UEFI/BIOS (may be called PTT, fTPM or Security Device), confirm “The TPM is ready for use” in tpm.msc, then retry. |
| 0xc1900224 | A required driver is not published on Windows Update. | Ask the PC maker to confirm the networking and storage drivers are on Windows Update. If not, recover with the maker’s recovery media or Windows installation media. |
If it fails, Microsoft says to collect the logs (X:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther, X:\Windows\Logs\MoSetup, X:\Windows\Logs\Rebuild from the WinRE Command Prompt) and report it in Feedback Hub under Report a problem > Cloud rebuild.
Cloud rebuild vs Reset this PC
| Reset this PC | Cloud rebuild | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows files come from | The installed Windows | A fresh image from Windows Update |
| Drivers | Existing ones | Downloaded from Windows Update |
| Keep personal files | Can keep them | Always removes everything local |
| Needs USB or install media | No | No |
Source: Microsoft Learn “Cloud rebuild” (updated 2026-11-10) and the Microsoft Support page “Cloud rebuild in Windows”. If Microsoft changes the requirements, this page is updated.
What this page won’t do
- It can’t look at your PC. The checklist is for you to tick; nothing is scanned or sent anywhere.
- It can’t promise your PC will pass. Whether the PC maker put a network driver in WinRE, or published every driver on Windows Update, only shows up when you run it.
- It only covers the four error codes Microsoft documents. Anything else, ask the PC maker.
FAQ
What is Cloud rebuild in Windows 11?
A full reinstall of Windows 11 that downloads both a fresh Windows image and the PC’s drivers from Windows Update, so it needs no USB drive or installation media and doesn’t depend on the installed Windows being healthy. After it finishes the PC starts at the out-of-box setup like a new one.
Where do I find it?
In Windows: Settings > System > Recovery, then Rebuild PC next to “Rebuild this PC”. If Windows won’t start, the PC opens the Windows Recovery Environment after several failed starts; choose Troubleshoot, then Cloud rebuild.
Will it keep my files?
No. Cloud rebuild reformats the system disk and removes all local files, accounts, apps and settings. Files in OneDrive or another cloud service are not affected. If you want to keep personal files, Microsoft points to Reset this PC instead.
What is the difference between Remove files and Remove & sanitize files?
Remove files reformats the drives and reinstalls Windows; it is faster but files might be recoverable with specialized tools. Remove & sanitize files asks the storage hardware to securely erase the data first, which takes longer and cannot be undone. Use it before recycling, returning or reassigning the PC. Microsoft notes the result depends on the drive actually supporting the erase, which Windows can’t verify.
How long does it take?
Microsoft doesn’t give a time. It says the process can take a while and sanitizing can take much longer, and the PC may look idle and restart several times. Don’t power it off.
What if I interrupt it?
Windows might not be able to start. Recover with a recovery drive, Windows installation media or recovery media from the PC maker.