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Starting with Windows 11, version 26H2, Microsoft turns Windows settings backup on by default only for eligible organizational devices whose backup policy is left Not Configured. Existing explicit enable or disable policies still take precedence. The change does not turn on restore: administrators must configure restore separately.
Which organizational devices are affected?
Microsoft announced the change in Message Center notice MC1483538 on September 30, 2026, following the release of Windows 11, version 26H2, on September 29. The default applies to eligible devices running Windows 11 26H2 or later when the administrator has left the backup policy Not Configured. A policy explicitly set to Enabled or Disabled remains authoritative. Microsoft Learn describes the feature and its requirements; the timing and default-on scope are in Microsoft 365 Message Center notice MC1483538.
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- Windows release: The default-on rule is for Windows 11 version 26H2 or later. This is narrower than the feature’s general supported-build list.
- Policy state: Only Not Configured devices are subject to the default. Explicit enable and disable settings are unchanged.
- Location and cloud: The notice excludes devices in privacy-sensitive countries or regions and devices hosted in sovereign or restricted cloud environments. Microsoft’s feature documentation also says the feature is not currently available for GCCH/Sovereign clouds or China. Check the tenant’s cloud and applicable geography rather than assuming eligibility.
Microsoft is renaming the feature from Windows Backup for Organizations to Windows settings backup and restore across its documentation and policy surfaces.
What gets backed up—and what does not?
Windows settings backup preserves selected Windows user settings and preferences, along with a list of Microsoft Store apps, to help users move to a new or reset device. Once the backup policy is applied, Microsoft says backup runs automatically every eight days. This is not a full device image or a general backup of arbitrary user files. Microsoft’s feature overview explains the covered data and behavior.
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Does default-on backup also enable restore?
No. The default change applies to backup policy only; restore remains under administrator control. To offer restoration, an administrator must configure the separate restore policy. Eligible users can restore a profile during Windows Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) or first sign-in, subject to the device, enrollment, account, and backup-profile requirements described by Microsoft. See the Windows settings backup overview for requirements and Microsoft Intune’s Settings Catalog documentation for policy configuration.
Check eligibility before assuming a device will back up
The Windows 11 26H2-or-later default-on criteria should not be confused with the broader minimum builds Microsoft lists for the feature. Those general requirements cover Microsoft Entra joined or hybrid-joined devices and include:
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- Windows 10, version 22H2, build 19045.6216 or later.
- Windows 11, version 22H2, build 22621.5768 or later; version 23H2, build 22631.5768 or later; or version 24H2, build 26100.4946 or later.
These general requirements do not make older releases subject to the 26H2 default-on change. Restore has separate OS/build and enrollment requirements. Verify the specific device, join type, tenant cloud, and region against Microsoft’s current requirements.
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Leave backup at Not Configured to use the default
On an otherwise eligible Windows 11 26H2-or-later device, no policy action is needed to accept default-on backup if the backup policy remains Not Configured. Administrators should first review the current policy state and confirm the device meets the release, join, region, and cloud criteria.
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Explicitly disable backup to opt out
To prevent backup, set the backup policy to Disabled through Microsoft Intune, Group Policy, or another organization’s MDM. Microsoft documents backup configuration through Intune Settings Catalog, Policy CSP, and Group Policy. The policy choice should be managed consistently: Microsoft warns that mixing Group Policy and CSP policy sources for this feature can produce unexpected results. Also check related activity and connected-device policies; several must not be Disabled for backup to work. Configuration details are in Microsoft’s overview.
Configure restore separately
If users should be able to restore a backed-up profile, configure the restore policy independently. Microsoft documents restore through an Intune enrollment setting or a device configuration policy/CSP, with Group Policy available for some restore cases. Do not infer that restore is active just because backup is enabled. See Intune Settings Catalog documentation and Microsoft’s Windows backup guidance.
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Review user-facing controls
When IT has enabled backup or roaming, users can manage preferences and the app-list backup toggle in Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. Administrators can use policy to prevent users from changing these options.
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What should an IT admin verify?
- Check the Windows version. Confirm the device runs Windows 11 26H2 or later before applying the default-on rule.
- Inspect backup policy. Determine whether it is Not Configured, explicitly Enabled, or explicitly Disabled. Existing explicit settings are not overridden.
- Confirm scope. Check Microsoft Entra join or hybrid join, supported build, and whether the device’s geography or cloud environment is excluded.
- Decide on restore separately. Set the restore policy only if profile restoration is intended and its own requirements are met.
- Keep policy management consistent. Avoid conflicting GPO and CSP sources and review related activity/connected-device policies.
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