Microsoft’s KB5127936 preview (dated 28 October 2026, builds 26300.9818 / 26200.9818 for Windows 11 26H2 / 25H2) lists a [Recovery] item under gradual rollout: Windows Recovery (WinRE) can automatically reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based networks.
Per the KB, devices can get online automatically during recovery scenarios such as quick machine recovery or Cloud rebuild, without preconfiguring Wi-Fi credentials in WinRE. This capability is on by default, and IT admins can disable it. Microsoft notes it was previously disclosed last month and is now beginning to roll out.
The Recovery CSP documents NetworkSettings/Wifi/ReuseWifiSavedOnDevice: when enabled (true), WinRE reuses Wi-Fi profiles already saved on the device for network connectivity during recovery; false = don’t reuse. The Learn Cloud rebuild page still states that network is required (Ethernet completes automatically; Wi-Fi WPA-Personal + passkey when prompted, as of that page) — it does not itself document ReuseWifiSavedOnDevice; attribute Wi-Fi reuse to KB5127936 + Recovery CSP. The KB “Networking in WinRE” Learn link returned 404 at drafting time: its content is not invented here.
Confirmed points
- [Recovery] item under gradual rollout on KB5127936
- WinRE reuses eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based networks
- Automatic online access during quick machine recovery or Cloud rebuild, without preconfiguring Wi-Fi in WinRE
- On by default; IT admins can disable
- Previously disclosed last month; beginning to roll out with this preview
- CSP:
./Vendor/MSFT/Recovery/NetworkSettings/Wifi/ReuseWifiSavedOnDevice(true/false) - Non-security preview package dated 28 October 2026 for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2
- Gradual availability: gradual-rollout features do not reach every device at once
No hands-on WinRE / Cloud rebuild lab test is claimed here. This topic is not a second long article on the Memory Integrity (HVCI) expansion from the same KB package, and not a rehash of the existing Cloud rebuild feature article. On a managed PC, ask IT before installing an optional update or changing the Recovery CSP.
Sources
- Microsoft — KB5127936 Preview (Recovery / WinRE Wi-Fi profile reuse; builds 26300.9818 / 26200.9818)
- Microsoft Learn — Recovery CSP (NetworkSettings/Wifi/ReuseWifiSavedOnDevice)
- Microsoft Learn — Cloud rebuild (network prerequisites; Ethernet / Wi-Fi WPA-Personal as stated on that page)
Question: after KB5127936 (or an equivalent preview), did WinRE automatically reuse a saved Wi-Fi profile on a quick machine recovery or Cloud rebuild attempt on your Windows 11 PC?