Windows 11 gets new reinstall feature to repair system

Microsoft is building a new reinstall feature to fix problems on Windows 11 more easily.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
Pureinfotech Logo
Windows 11 build 25284
Windows 11 build 25284
  • Windows 11 will add a new recovery feature.
  • The feature appears as “Fix problems using Windows Update” in the Settings app.
  • It’s assumed that it’ll allow users to reinstall the operating system to fix system issues.

UPDATED 15/12/2023: Microsoft is working on a new reinstall option for Windows 11 that will be available through the Recovery settings. The new feature appears as “Fix problems using Windows Update,” and it will allow you to reinstall the operating system to repair the system without needing the installation media.

It’s unclear how the feature will work since the system already has a reset feature to reinstall Windows 11 with the option to keep or remove your files. This is in addition to the feature to roll back to a previous version after an upgrade.

According to @PhantomOcean3, who originally spotted the feature, the feature is an option to upgrade to the same build without media installation.

Fix problems with Windows Update
Fix problems with Windows Update (Source: @PhantomOcean3)

If you are an Insider running the latest preview of Windows 11 from the Beta Channel (previously available only in the Dev Channel), you can make enable the feature available in the Settings app using the ViveTool.

To enable the hidden “Fix problems using Windows Update” feature on Windows 11, you will need to download and decompress the ViveTool command-line tool. Then you have to open the tool with Command Prompt as an administrator and run this command: vivetool /enable /id:42550315.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].