Microsoft’s October 2, 2026, Windows Insider release adds a visible Cloud rebuild entry to Settings in Beta build 26220.9587 and Experimental build 26340.9596. A separate Experimental 26H1 build, 28120.3151, adds storage sanitization and remote management through Recovery CSP. These are preview features distributed across different channels and builds—not one feature set available to every Insider.
Which Windows 11 builds received the changes?
| Build | Channel and base | Changes called out by Microsoft |
|---|---|---|
| 26220.9587 | Beta, based on Windows 11 25H2 through an enablement package | Cloud rebuild entry in Settings, Unicode 17.0 text shaping, and faster Settings home performance |
| 26340.9596 | Experimental, based on Windows 11 26H2 through an enablement package | Cloud rebuild entry in Settings, Unicode 17.0 text shaping, File Explorer address-bar support for ~ profile navigation, and Settings home performance improvements |
| 28020.3142 | Beta (26H1) | Cloud rebuild arrives in this branch; Magnifier gains exact zoom percentages and common presets; File Explorer receives folder-view, address-bar and rename fixes |
| 28120.3151 | Experimental (26H1) | “Remove & sanitize files” and Recovery CSP remote configuration/start for Cloud rebuild, plus Magnifier and File Explorer fixes |
| 29680.1000 | Experimental (Future Platforms) | Included in the announcement, but the announcement does not specify feature details for this build |
Microsoft’s Experimental channels use Controlled Feature Rollout, so even an eligible build may not show every feature immediately. Experimental 26H1 releases can also be unstable, and features can change, disappear or remain exclusive to testing.
What Cloud rebuild does
Cloud rebuild is a full Windows 11 reinstall launched from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). It downloads the target Windows image and device drivers from Windows Update instead of depending on the health of the installed operating system. That makes it useful when Windows is severely damaged or will not boot, provided WinRE itself can run.
The new shortcut is at Settings > System > Recovery. It improves discoverability, but it does not turn the operation into an in-place repair. Microsoft describes the result as restoring a PC to a clean, known-good state through a complete operating-system reinstall.
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What happens to your files and settings?
The standard removal choice reformats the system disk and removes locally stored files, user accounts, installed applications and settings. Files that exist only in cloud services such as OneDrive are not deleted from those services, although you must sign in again after reinstalling Windows.
- Remove files: the quicker option when you are keeping the computer. Specialized recovery software might still recover some data afterward.
- Remove & sanitize files: intended before recycling, returning or reassigning the device. It asks supported storage hardware to erase targeted data before Windows is installed again, takes longer and cannot be undone.
On a computer with multiple drives, the workflow can target only the Windows drive or all drives. Sanitization is not an independently verified guarantee: Windows requests the storage device’s erase operation and reports the device’s result, but cannot verify what the hardware actually did. Organizations with legal or regulatory sanitization requirements should confirm the drive manufacturer’s capabilities and use its certified utility when necessary.
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Requirements before starting a rebuild
- Windows 11 with a healthy Windows Recovery Environment.
- A compatible network driver available in WinRE.
- Internet access from the recovery environment.
- AC power connected for the entire operation.
Ethernet should connect automatically when available. Wi-Fi requires a WPA-Personal network and its passkey. Before confirmation, Windows displays the target build, edition and language, then presents the data-loss warning.
How managed recovery works for organizations
Experimental 26H1 build 28120.3151 adds Recovery CSP support. An endpoint-management service such as Intune can remotely configure and start Cloud rebuild, choosing either the currently installed build or a specified target build.
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For Microsoft Entra-joined, Intune-managed devices registered with Windows Autopilot, Microsoft documents automatic reconnection to Intune after the reinstall. Assigned applications and policies can be redeployed, settings can be restored through Backup for Organizations, and the user can regain access to OneDrive files after signing in. These management capabilities are specific to the supported managed-device scenario; they do not make a local rebuild preserve personal data.
Do not interrupt the process
Keep the computer connected to power while it sanitizes (if selected), prepares the disk, downloads Windows and installs the operating system. Turning it off or restarting during these stages can leave the machine unable to boot.
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If the rebuild is interrupted
Microsoft lists three recovery routes: a Windows Recovery Drive, Windows installation media or the manufacturer’s recovery media. A USB flash drive prepared as recovery or installation media is therefore a contingency, not a requirement for starting Cloud rebuild.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Other notable changes in the release
Unicode 17.0 text shaping
The Beta and Experimental main-channel builds update text shaping for Unicode 17.0. Microsoft cites 4,803 characters in the standard and identifies four newly encoded scripts in its Experimental notes: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo and Tolong Siki.
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File Explorer and Magnifier
Build 26340.9596 lets the File Explorer address bar accept ~ as a shortcut for the current profile folder. The 26H1 builds include File Explorer fixes covering folder views, address-bar behavior and renaming. Magnifier in builds 28020.3142 and 28120.3151 adds exact zoom percentages and commonly used preset increments.
Should you install these builds?
Cloud rebuild is still marked as a preview, and Microsoft recommends evaluating it only on non-production devices. Install an Insider build when you can tolerate instability, feature rollbacks and a possible reinstall; do not use a test machine’s only copy of important local data. Choose the actual channel and build number when checking availability, because the 25H2, 26H2 and 26H1 branches do not contain identical capabilities.
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