Windows 11 26H2 enables settings backup by default on eligible devices
Microsoft has released Windows 11 26H2, which turns on Windows settings backup by default for eligible devices unless an administrator has opted out. The change matters because organisations that previously had to enable the feature will now need to check whether its cloud transfers fit their policies.
The feature saves device settings and a list of installed Microsoft Store apps so they can be restored during setup on a new device; it does not back up users’ files. The default applies to eligible Entra joined or Entra Hybrid joined devices, but not in privacy-sensitive regions covered by the EU Digital Markets Act or in sovereign and restricted environments. For users already on 25H2, 26H2 uses the same code base and arrives as an enablement package, so little else may appear to change.
- Windows 11 26H2 enables settings backup by default on eligible devices.
- Backups cover settings and Store app lists, not user files.
- Administrators may need to opt out to meet cloud data policies.
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Windows 11 has a settings backup feature that saves device preferences and a list of installed Microsoft Store apps to the cloud, allowing them to be restored on a new computer. This means users do not need to manually reconfigure preferences when setting up a new device. The feature does not back up personal files or documents.
Many organisations provide Windows devices to their employees and set policies about which features can store data in the cloud. These policies are often strict because of security concerns or regulatory requirements in the organisation's industry or region. Administrators therefore usually review new features carefully before enabling them across their systems.
When Microsoft changes whether a feature is on or off by default, it affects what organisations need to do to comply with their policies. Features that organisations have disabled by default require no action; features that are enabled by default require organisations to actively turn them off if they don't want them. This shift changes the administrative burden for companies using Windows across many devices.
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Originally published by The Register as “Microsoft makes Windows settings backup the default in 26H2”.