Windows 10 and 11 introduced Cloud Download, a feature that lets you reinstall or recover Windows using Microsoft’s servers — no USB or recovery disk required.
Here’s how it works:
- Go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC.
- Choose Remove everything or Keep my files.
- Select Cloud download instead of Local reinstall.
Windows will automatically download the latest version of the OS directly from the cloud and reinstall it — a huge advantage if your system files are corrupted or your local recovery image is damaged.
It’s perfect for modern PCs that lack DVD drives or when you don’t have a recovery USB handy.
Keep in mind: You’ll need a stable internet connection, as the download is several gigabytes in size.