What is Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11 and how can I turn it on?
Numerous Windows computers encounter unforeseen problems that disrupt the boot process, preventing the user from accessing files or even resolving the problem independently.
Even though Microsoft already offers a plethora of Windows repair tools, like the DISM command and Cloud Download, they cannot promise a comprehensive fix for any issue that leads to system failure, particularly when it comes to serious problems.
Microsoft has created a new feature in this regard that aims to expedite Windows device repairs without requiring technical know-how. By utilizing cloud technologies and automated recovery, which we will describe below, this feature, called Quick Machine Recovery, aims to increase Windows' resilience in the event of significant failures.
Microsoft created this new feature to automatically fix Windows 11 device boot-up problems without requiring manual user intervention. By implementing a number of fixes supplied directly by Microsoft, the feature specifically addresses common problems that prevent device startup because of a Windows bug, thereby lessening the strain on IT administrators in businesses when multiple devices are impacted by the same issue—such as persistent blue screens.
Microsoft's direct response to the massive outage in July 2024 brought on by the CrowdStrike incident, which disrupted hundreds of thousands of Windows devices globally, is called Quick Machine Recovery. Microsoft is now thoroughly testing the feature in advance of its release in the Windows 11 updates in 2025. The feature initially surfaced in the Windows 11 beta updates.
In case you were unaware, Windows already has an old feature called "Startup Repair," which fixes issues with Windows booting by resetting the BCD file, replacing corrupted system files, and other conventional fixes that didn't work during the CrowdStrike crisis. As a more sophisticated version of "Startup Repair," the new QMR feature allows devices to restart normally in the event of a similar emergency or Windows bug that crashes the system on millions of devices at once.
Quick Machine Recovery will allow the device to connect to the Internet in these situations. The Advanced Options screen will allow you to access the Windows Recovery Environment. In order to fix the problem, Windows will then start contacting the Windows Update service to see if there are any new updates available. If Microsoft finds a bug that is preventing millions of Windows devices from booting, it may release these updates immediately.
In order to resolve device boot issues, Quick Machine Recovery specifically uses two methods: "cloud remediation" and "auto remediation." In the former, the system transmits diagnostic information about the issue to Microsoft servers, which examine it and look through their extensive database for appropriate, tested solutions for the same kind of failure. Compared to using only local tools, the likelihood of a successful repair is greatly increased if an appropriate solution is found, as it is downloaded and applied to the device right away.
On the other hand, if this option is not selected, the system will only use the antiquated "Startup Repair" feature, which has a small number of basic fixes and might not be able to address complicated or recent problems that call for specialized fixes.
The system can decide on repairs on its own without awaiting your consent or confirmation thanks to the second mechanism. In business settings where hundreds or even thousands of devices may malfunction simultaneously and the technical support staff is unable to manually step in and fix each one, this option is very helpful.
In any event, the system automatically launches the Windows Recovery Environment, establishes an Internet connection, and looks for a solution through Windows updates when it notices that the device keeps failing to boot. If a solution is discovered, it is downloaded and installed right away, after which the device restarts on its own. The process is repeated by the system until a fix is found or the maximum number of attempts is reached if the failure continues.
Note: This feature is not yet available in the stable version of Windows 11, but rather in beta builds for Windows Insider participants . However, the activation steps will remain the same when the feature reaches the final version.
After updating to the most recent version of Windows 11, press the Win + I keys together or open the Settings app from the Start menu to activate and utilize this feature. Next, navigate to the Recovery page after selecting the System section. Next, select Quick Machine Recovery and use the top option to confirm that the feature is enabled. This option, "Continue searching if a solution isn't found," can also be enabled to give the system additional chances to attempt resolving the problem. Additionally, you can change how often the feature looks for new fixes and set the time period using the "Look for solutions every" box. To find out how frequently the system restarts while attempting repairs, you can also set the custom time to "Restart every."
Once these options are enabled, the "Startup Repair" option will be replaced by a new one called "Quick Machine Recovery" when you access the Advanced Options page or recovery environment. It can be used directly to begin the repair process.
Microsoft lets administrators and IT specialists modify the Quick Machine Recovery feature to suit their needs. Without waiting for a worldwide emergency or a Windows system failure, it is possible to use QMR to simulate the repair process and make sure it functions as intended. In the event of an emergency, it is always advised to make a system backup or restore point prior to beginning the test.
Use any of the previously covered techniques to launch a command prompt (CMD) and test the QMR feature. The simplest method, though, is to open the search bar by simultaneously pressing the Win and S keys. Next, enter "cmd" and select "Run as administrator" from the list of search results. Type the following command into the command prompt window and hit Enter:
reagentc.exe /SetRecoveryTestmode
The feature's test mode is now activated, but in order to begin testing, you must force Windows to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment, where QMR will begin to function. To do this, type the following command:
The WinRE screen will show up in test mode after the device reboots. In the event that this does not occur, choose "Continue to boot Windows normally." You can re-enable and disable the recovery tool by typing the following commands after the device boots up normally:
After that, you can reenter Test Mode by following the earlier instructions. Go to Settings, then Windows Updates, and finally Update History to verify that the Quick System Restore feature has been used. A mention of the repairs or repairs that have been made with this feature can be found there.
Lastly, as we mentioned, the Quick Machine Recovery feature is only accessible in the beta versions of Windows 11 and is not yet available in the final or stable versions. But don't worry, Microsoft plans to make it available to everyone soon, so stay tuned.