Microsoft Enables Windows Settings Backup by Default in Windows 11 26H2

Windows settings backup is now enabled by default on eligible enterprise devices running Windows 11 26H2, allowing organizations to preserve user settings across device changes.

Microsoft has enabled Windows settings backup by default on qualifying Microsoft Entra-joined and Entra hybrid-joined enterprise devices upgraded to Windows 11 26H2.

The feature backs up users’ Windows settings so organizations can recover them after a device reset, replacement, upgrade, or reimage.

Windows settings backup can also preserve a user’s Microsoft Store app list, making it easier to restore the same applications later.

Microsoft will enable the feature automatically only when administrators haven’t already configured the backup policy. If an organization previously enabled or disabled it, Windows will keep that existing configuration.

IT admins still control Windows settings backup

Administrators retain control over the feature through mobile device management tools.

Organizations that don’t want Windows settings backup enabled can disable the policy through Microsoft Intune or Group Policy.

This allows IT teams to decide whether settings and Microsoft Store app lists should follow users between managed devices.

Only some Windows 11 26H2 devices qualify

The default setting applies to eligible Windows 11 26H2 devices that are joined or hybrid-joined to Microsoft Entra.

Microsoft is limiting the change to countries and regions that aren’t regulated by the EU Digital Markets Act.

Devices running in sovereign or restricted cloud environments are also excluded from the default-on rollout.

As a result, organizations won’t necessarily see the feature enabled across every Windows 11 26H2 deployment.

Restore remains disabled by default

Microsoft isn’t automatically enabling the restore side of the feature.

Even when Windows settings backup turns on automatically, administrators must explicitly configure restoration before users can recover backed-up settings on another device.

This keeps IT teams in control of when and how Windows settings restoration works inside their organizations.

The distinction also means that enabling backup doesn’t automatically allow users to restore settings after a reset, replacement, upgrade, or reimage unless administrators have configured that capability.

In other news, Microsoft Is about to block injected scripts on Entra ID sign-ins.

Via BleepingComputer