- Cloud Rebuild reinstalls Windows 11 using installation files and device drivers downloaded directly from Windows Update, even when the PC cannot boot.
- Windows Hello now lets personal account users use a four-digit PIN, with no additional complexity requirements.
- Microsoft Intune Remote Lock lets administrators lock lost, stolen, or compromised Windows devices without erasing user data.
- The update adds WebP metadata support, Unicode 17.0 text shaping, and fixes for Taskbar previews and green-screen errors.
Windows 11 build 29708.1001 introduces several new features and improvements for the Experimental (Future Platforms) channel through the Windows Insider Program. The update revises the Windows Hello PIN setup experience, allowing personal accounts to use a simpler four-digit PIN instead of the new six-digit minimum, while work account requirements remain unchanged. It also introduces Remote Lock, a Microsoft Intune feature that lets administrators remotely lock lost, stolen, or compromised devices without wiping the setup or user data.
The preview also brings Cloud Rebuild, a new recovery option that performs a clean Windows 11 installation by downloading the operating system image and device drivers directly from Windows Update. The feature works from the Windows Recovery Environment, even when the current installation cannot boot, and is also accessible through Settings.
Other changes include support for adding tags and metadata to WebP files in File Explorer, a fix for Taskbar app preview windows becoming progressively slower, and Unicode 17.0 text shaping support for newly encoded characters and scripts. Microsoft also addresses a reliability issue that caused some Insiders to experience more green screens with the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error.
What’s new on Windows 11 build 29708.1001 (Experimental)
These are the new features and improvements rolling out in the Experimental channel:
Cloud Rebuild offers a new recovery option
Microsoft is introducing Cloud Rebuild, a new recovery option that performs a full Windows 11 reinstall to restore a computer to a clean, known-good state, even when the operating system won’t boot. Unlike “Reset this PC,” the feature downloads both the target Windows image and the device drivers directly from Windows Update.
This eliminates the need for USB installation media or a custom image and doesn’t depend on the health of the existing installation.
You can start the process directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) by navigating to Troubleshoot > Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild. From there, the system will try to connect to the internet using wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and you’ll be able to review the target Windows 11 build, edition, and language, and confirm the data-loss warning before proceeding.
You can also start a cloud rebuild from the desktop experience through Settings > System > Recovery.
Simpler Windows Hello PIN setup
The Windows team is updating the Windows Hello PIN setup experience to make it less restrictive for personal accounts. A PIN now requires at least six digits, but users can choose a four-digit PIN instead. The setup no longer requires additional complexity, such as avoiding prohibited number sequences or including letters and special characters.
Remotely lock devices with Microsoft Intune
Administrators can now use “Remote Lock” through Microsoft Intune to secure lost, stolen, or compromised Windows 11 devices without wiping them. Once locked, Windows signs out all active sessions, hides every sign-in option, and displays a “Device Locked” screen instructing users to contact their organization’s administrator support.
The feature preserves the device’s enrollment and management status, keeps BitLocker enabled, and leaves all user data intact. Only an administrator can remotely unlock the device, allowing the user to resume where they left off.
The default lock screen displays a message explaining that the organization has locked the device. Administrators can customize the message with LockReason and RecoveryHint to provide a reason and help desk contact information.
Other fixes
Microsoft is also rolling out several smaller improvements and reliability fixes with this preview:
- File Explorer: You can now add tags and other metadata to WebP files.
- Taskbar: Fixed an issue that made app preview windows progressively slower when interacting with them.
- Unicode: Windows now supports Unicode 17.0 text shaping, improving how newly encoded characters and scripts appear. The update includes support for 4,803 new characters and four scripts: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki.
- General reliability: Fixed an issue that caused some Insiders to experience more green screens with the
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror.
Download Windows 11 update 29708.1001
To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your Devices in the Experimental channel for the Future Platforms version through the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section. After you enroll the computer in the program, you can download the build from “Windows Update” by turning on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” and clicking “Check for Updates.”
Alternatively, you can also download the ISO files from the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page. Specific preview builds are available for a limited time only.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].
