How to easily restore Windows 11 from the cloud, including data and settings

If Windows 11 stops working properly, you can reset the operating system, download the installation files from Microsoft’s cloud, and reinstall Windows 11. You can also restore your data in the process.

However, this requires a fast internet connection as the operating system downloads all the data it needs from the internet. The advantages of this method are that you do not need installation media and you can restore your data from the cloud.

Cloud recovery is generally also possible in the computer repair options that start when Windows 11 can no longer boot completely. However, in this case you need a wired network connection, as no WLAN drivers are available in the rescue environment. However, if Windows 11 starts reasonably stable, you can also perform the recovery via WLAN in the settings.

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Start the restore process in Windows 11: Backup and OneDrive

Before you start the process of restoring Windows 11 from the cloud, you should make some preparations. First, you should make sure that you have backed up as much data as possible that you will need after installation. Either copy it to a storage device or back it up in the cloud.

Using OneDrive makes sense here, as Microsoft’s cloud storage works perfectly with Windows 11 and recovery. Other cloud storage options work too, of course, but OneDrive is integrated directly into the operating system and allows you to synchronize various data and settings without having to use additional apps and services.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Windows 10/11 includes the “Windows Backup” tool. You can start this directly from the start menu. The tool backs up the data on your PC to OneDrive. If you restore Windows 11, whether via the cloud or a local storage device, you can then quickly and easily restore your data using the internal backup program.

If you don’t already use the free app, you can set it up in a few clicks before cloud recovery and back up your data to OneDrive, making cloud recovery much easier.

This allows you to restore them on your PC, but also on other devices where you log in with the same Microsoft account. The tool can also back up your settings in Windows 11 and also adopt them after a restore. This not only allows you to restore your PC from the cloud, but also to restore your data and settings.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Before you restore Windows 11 from the cloud, you should perform a backup so that you can restore all of your data later. In general, it doesn’t hurt to synchronize your data with OneDrive with Windows 11. This means that the data for which you have activated synchronization will be available in the cloud.

If you log in again with the Microsoft account after restoring Windows 11, the synchronized data will also be available.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Therefore, if you use OneDrive in Windows 11 in conjunction with Windows Backup, all your data is collected in one central location and can therefore be accessed and restored anywhere.

Document drivers and applications

Before restoring Windows 11, you should check the drivers you are using. This ensures that if drivers are missing in the Windows 11 installation, you can download the latest drivers yourself from the device manufacturer.

To do this, open the Device Manager with “devmgmt.msc” in the taskbar search box. Make a note of the exact type of graphics adapters, network adapters and other special devices such as cameras, scanners or printers. This will make it easier to update the drivers later if necessary.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

You should do the same with the installed applications. Run “appwiz.cpl” to see a list of all installed applications. If you are doing a full restore, make sure you have the installation files of the program you want to continue using.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

If you restore the device in such a way that apps and data are retained, you don’t have to reinstall anything. However, if you do a complete reinstallation, you will need all the installation files.

Reset Windows 11 and restore from the cloud

In the Windows 11 settings, go to “System -> Restore”. Then click on “Reset PC”. At this point you can either choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything”.

If the restore with “Keep my files” does not work, you can start the process again with “Remove everything”. If you have backed up your data in the cloud with Windows Backup and possibly synchronized your data with OneDrive in parallel, Windows 11 can restore the data from the cloud at any time.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

On the next page of the wizard, select Cloud Download if you want to ensure that Windows is fully restored with new installation files from the cloud.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

You will then receive a summary of the data you have entered so far, which you confirm by clicking “Next”. However, you can cancel the process at any time without consequences.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

The installation wizard then prepares a few things and finally begins the recovery. You must confirm this by clicking the “Reset” button.

The wizard will then begin downloading the necessary files, completely reset Windows 11, and allow you to set it up again. Once you confirm the process, you cannot cancel it.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

After the restore, if you log in with the same Microsoft account that you used to perform the Windows backup and set up OneDrive synchronization, all of your data will be available again. However, you can also just log in to the Windows Backup app with the Microsoft account to restore.

Check the device manager to see if any drivers are missing and download them. The documentation you created for the installed drivers will help you with this.

If you have had everything removed, you will have to reinstall the applications you need. It is therefore a good idea to make sure in advance that you have the installation files for the applications. It is therefore also a good idea to have documentation for recovery purposes.

Completing cloud recovery

Therefore, once Windows 11 is restored from the cloud, ideally you should log back in with the same Microsoft account.

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Thomas Joos

Then make sure that OneDrive is started and you are logged in with your Microsoft account. Synchronization will then start. You can also restore your data and settings from the Windows Backup app after starting the app.

You can find the settings for this under “Account -> Windows Backup”. Of course, you can also perform the restore using other tools and cloud storage. The advantage of Windows Backup and OneDrive is that both solutions are firmly integrated into the operating system, which means that restore and synchronization are much faster.