Microsoft today released its much anticipated quick machine recovery option for testing to Windows Insiders which will be available when you install Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5622 (Dev Channel) and Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4230 (KB5058506) Beta Channel for Windows Insiders on Windows 11, version 24H2
in a blog post published today. So, i decided to write a post on how to activate quick machine recovery for Windows 11 and how it works, as its one of the cool feature that is considered to be upgrade to your startup repair option! Incase if you are not seeing quick machine recovery despite being on Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5622 (Dev Channel) then you might need to reinstall or update your PC.
Quick machine recovery, a feature introduced as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative at Ignite 2024 – is now available for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. QMR is designed to help Windows 11 devices recover from widespread boot issues by applying remediations through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Deep Dive: Understanding Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11 and above
Let’s break down exactly how Quick Machine Recovery works in Windows 11 and later, why it’s good , and how it automatically saves users from disaster.
What is Quick Machine Recovery?
Imagine your PC is stuck in an endless boot loop, refusing to start no matter what you try. Quick Machine Recovery acts like an emergency rescue team, automatically detecting the issue and applying remediation strategies to fix it without manual intervention.
🚀 Microsoft designed this feature to:
✅ Detect boot failures & system corruption without user input.
✅ Utilize Cloud Remediation & Auto Remediation for rapid fixes.
✅ Restore functionality without losing critical data.
Wait! I'm new to computers! I don't know what is cloud remediation or auto remediation? If your question is that, then let me explain that too..
Cloud Remediation vs. Auto Remediation in Quick Machine recovery: What’s the Difference?
1. Cloud Remediation: Calling for Help from the Internet
Think of Cloud Remediation as your computer reaching out to a vast library of solutions on the internet – much like looking up a recipe online when you need to bake something new.
- When it's ON: If your computer has a problem and can't start properly, it will automatically connect to the internet (using your Wi-Fi or wired connection). It then "asks" Windows Update (which is Microsoft's online update service) for the latest fixes and instructions to get itself working again. It's like your computer automatically finding and downloading the exact repair instructions it needs.
- When it's OFF: If this setting is turned off, your computer won't try to look for online help. Instead, it will only use its built-in, basic "Startup Repair" tool, which is like using a simple first-aid kit instead of calling a specialist for a more complex issue.
2. Auto Remediation: The Computer's Persistent Problem Solver
Now, Auto Remediation is like giving your computer the green light to be truly independent and persistent in fixing itself.
- When it's ON: If your computer runs into a snag, it doesn't just try to find a fix once. With Auto Remediation turned on, it will automatically connect to Windows Update (just like with Cloud Remediation) and try to find a solution. If the first attempt doesn't work, it will automatically try again and again without you needing to click any buttons or tell it what to do. It's like having a tireless assistant who keeps working on a problem until they find the answer, even if it takes a few tries.
- When it's OFF: If Auto Remediation is off or not set up, your computer will stop trying to fix itself if it hits a roadblock. It will wait for you to step in, look at the error, and tell it what to do next. This means you'll have to manually guide the recovery process each time it needs attention.
In essence, these two settings work together to help your Windows computer heal itself quickly and often without your direct involvement, especially when it faces a problem that prevents it from starting up normally. It's all about making your computer more self-sufficient and getting you back to what you need to do faster!
Think of Cloud Remediation as a lifeline reaching out to Microsoft’s servers, while Auto Remediation is like your PC handling things locally. Next time When you see Windows 11 Operating system connecting to network during boot or if your windows 11 and later stuck on Connecting to network during boot then think this is Quick machine recovery option is in action.
How Quick Machine Recovery Process in Windows Works?
When Windows encounters a critical boot failure, Quick Machine Recovery follows these five key phases to restore functionality:
Device Crash – Windows detects repeated boot failures. -> Boot to Recovery – The system automatically enters Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). -> Network Connection – If Cloud Remediation is enabled, Windows connects to Microsoft servers for fixes -> Remediation – The system applies recovery solutions based on available fixes. -> Reboot – Windows restarts with the applied fixes. If unsuccessful, the process repeats.
Important:
If you don't see Quick Machine recovery option in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise that's because you might be using Windows 11 Pro or Windows 11 Enterprise Editions where Quick Machine Recovery is off by default.
✅ Windows Home Edition:
Cloud Remediation is enabled by default, but Auto Remediation is off.
No manual setup required—Windows automatically connects to Windows Update for fixes.
✅ Windows Pro & Enterprise Editions:
What If Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11 also Fails😂?
If you are long term windows user, you know almost everything has its own bugs though microsoft tries very hard to avoid them!
But, if you are curious on what if quick machine recovery failed during boot in windows then..
Quick Machine Recovery doesn’t resolve the issue, users can try:
✅ Manually entering WinRE – Restart and press F8 or Shift + Restart to access recovery options.
✅ Using Startup Repair – Select Advanced Options > Startup Repair in WinRE.
✅ Restoring from a System Image – If backups exist, use System Image Recovery.
If no backup exists, you know wat to do!
How to Enable Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11 and Later
For Individual Users:
1️⃣ Access Windows Settings → Click Start > Settings > Update & Security.
2️⃣ Go to Recovery → Select Recovery from the sidebar.
3️⃣ Enable Quick Machine Recovery → Activate Cloud Remediation & Auto Remediation.
4️⃣ Restart & Verify if required → Ensure recovery logs confirm activation.
For IT Admins Managing Multiple Devices:
✅ Step 1: Create an Intune Custom Configuration Profile.
✅ Step 2: Configure OMA-URI settings to define recovery parameters.
✅ Step 3: Deploy the profile to targeted devices & verify activation.
✅ Step 4: Test recovery scenarios to ensure seamless remediation.
Command Line Method (For Advanced Users):
You can also enable Quick Machine Recovery using PowerShell (run as admin):
reagentc /enable
To test, whether its working run following command on Powershell or cmd as admin/
reagentc.exe /getrecoverysettings
Output example:
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<WindowsRE>
<WifiCredential>
<Wifi ssid="MyWiFi" password="Somepasswordofyours" />
</WifiCredential>
<CloudRemediation state="1" />
<AutoRemediation state="1" totalwaittime="2400" waitinterval="120"/>
</WindowsRE>
REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.
By default, the setting UI options (recovery) will work. But for all this command prompt to work, Microsoft advise to create xml first (Microsoft might automatically connect to internet based on what you saved in the past in future editions to skip the step, just hoping so!)
reagentc.exe /setrecoverysettings /path settings.xml
Where settings.xml is the path to the XML file containing the quick machine recovery configuration.
Again, i'm new to computers, what does this file do?
This file tells your PC exactly how you want its quick recovery features to work. The settings.xml file is simply where these instructions are stored.
What Do These Instructions mean.
Let's look at an example of what these instructions in an XML file might tell your computer based on official source example itself:
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<WindowsRE>
<WifiCredential>
<Wifi ssid="ContosoWiFi" password="ContosoWiFiPassword" />
</WifiCredential>
<CloudRemediation state="1" />
<AutoRemediation state="1" totalwaittime="2400" waitinterval="120"/>
</WindowsRE>
- Connecting to Wi-Fi: Your computer is told to connect to your home Wi-Fi network. In this example, the network name (called SSID) is "ContosoWiFi" and the password is "ContosoWiFiPassword". This is important so your PC can reach the internet for online fixes.
- "Cloud Remediation" is ON: Remember how Cloud Remediation means your PC can look for fixes online through Windows Update? This setting is turned on (shown as state="1" in the instructions).
- "Auto Remediation" is ON: And remember how Auto Remediation means your PC will automatically keep trying to find a fix without you needing to do anything? This setting is also turned on (also state="1").
- "Wait, then Check, then Reboot":
- totalwaittime set to 2,400 minutes (40 hours): This tells your computer, "Once you start trying to fix yourself, wait for a total of 40 hours before giving up and trying to restart completely."
- waitinterval set to 120 minutes (2 hours): This means, "During that 40-hour wait, check for new fixes and try again every 2 hours."
- So, once you've given your computer these instructions, it will wait for 40 hours during a recovery, checking for new solutions every 2 hours, before deciding to reboot and try again. It's like a careful, automated process designed to get your PC back up and running with minimal issues.
Okay, but how to test Quick Machine recovery in Windows 11 and Later?
For things to work, its better to test it right, so let's see that too..
We have a option called test mode to test.! It's a special practice area where you can simulate (or "fake") how your computer would automatically fix itself. This way, you can see the "auto remediation" process in action, confirming it works just as you expect, without your computer actually having a problem or breaking anything. Think of it like a fire drill: you go through all the steps to be prepared, but there's no actual fire. Again, If you are new to computers then let me explain in simple terms..
How to Use Test Mode (For Those Comfortable with Commands)
To try out this practice mode, you'll need to use some specific commands in a special window called the "Command Prompt." Don't worry if this sounds a bit technical—it's mainly for people who manage lots of computers or are very comfortable with advanced settings.
Here's what you type (you'll need to open Command Prompt as an administrator first):
-
To turn on the practice mode:
reagentc.exe /SetRecoveryTestmode
(This tells your computer: "Okay, get ready for a recovery practice run!")
-
To make your computer go into its recovery practice on the next restart:
reagentc.exe /BootToRE
(This tells your computer: "Next time you start up, go directly into the Recovery Environment to begin the test.")
After you've entered the commands to set up Test Mode, here's what happens next and how you can check if it worked:
What Happens When You Reboot:
When you restart your computer, it will act like it just experienced a "simulated crash"—it's just practicing! The system will then go through the auto remediation process, trying to fix this pretend problem on its own. Once it's done, your computer should restart again and bring you back to your regular Windows desktop.
Important Note: What if it doesn't work as expected?
Sometimes, instead of starting the test mode right away, your computer might go into the "Windows Recovery Environment" (Windows RE). If this happens, don't worry, it's an easy fix:
- In Windows RE: You'll see a screen with options. Choose "Continue" to simply boot your computer back into Windows normally.
- Once back in Windows: Open the Command Prompt again (as an administrator) and type these two commands, one after the other:
reagentc.exe /Disablereagentc.exe /Enable- (These commands essentially "reset" the recovery settings, which can help get the test mode working.)
- Retry the simulation: Now, go back to the very first step of enabling Test Mode (entering
reagentc.exe /SetRecoveryTestmode and then reagentc.exe /BootToRE) and try again.
How to Know if the Test Mode Worked (Verification)
After your computer has gone through the simulated recovery and rebooted back into Windows, you can check if the "fix" was recorded:
- Go to your computer's "Settings."
- Click on "Windows Update."
- Then, select "Update history."
You should see the "remediation" (which is the fix from the test mode) listed there, typically under the "Quality updates" section. This confirms that your Quick Machine Recovery settings are ready to work when needed!
Some Common Jargons used in this post and general terms for Senior readers of our blog..
Navigating computer problems can feel like learning a new language. Here's a quick guide to some terms you might hear when talking about computer recovery, explained in plain English:
Boot / Boot Up: This simply means your computer is starting up. When you press the power button, your computer "boots up."
Boot Loop: Imagine your computer trying to start, failing, and then immediately trying again, endlessly, without ever getting to Windows. That's a "boot loop."
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD): A full-screen blue error message that appears when Windows encounters a critical problem it can't recover from. It forces your computer to stop.
Black Screen: Similar to a blue screen, but often without an error message, where your computer starts but only shows a black screen, preventing you from seeing Windows.
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE): This is a special, simplified version of Windows that loads when your main Windows system has a problem. It provides tools to help you fix issues before Windows fully starts.
Remediation: In the context of computer problems, this means "fixing" or "correcting" an issue. Quick Machine Recovery finds "remediations" to apply fixes.
Startup Repair: A basic tool within the Windows Recovery Environment designed to fix common problems that prevent Windows from starting correctly.
System Restore: A feature that allows you to "roll back" your computer's system files, programs, and registry to an earlier point in time (called a "restore point") when it was working correctly. Your personal files usually aren't affected.
Factory Reset: This process restores your computer to its original, "out-of-the-box" state, as if you just bought it. You usually have an option to keep or remove your personal files.
XML File: A type of file used to store information in a structured way. Think of it like a neatly organized instruction sheet for your computer, telling it how to behave.
SSID: This is the name of your Wi-Fi network, like "MyHomeWiFi" or "ContosoWiFi." It's what you see when you're connecting to Wi-Fi.
Microsoft Intune / CSP Policies: These are tools primarily used by businesses and IT professionals to manage and configure settings (like quick machine recovery) on many computers at once, often remotely.
Command Prompt: A text-based window where you can type commands to control your computer directly. It's more of an advanced tool but can be very powerful.
Simulate / Simulation: To "fake" or "pretend." In Test Mode, your computer simulates a problem, acting as if it's broken without actually being broken.
Quality Updates: These are the regular, non-security updates that Windows receives to improve performance, add features, and fix non-critical bugs. Your quick machine recovery remediation will appear here in the update history.
That's the end of this Post, Enjoy!
