Microsoft is making Windows settings backup and restore on by default for eligible managed devices, according to a Microsoft announcement. The feature, previously called Windows Backup for Organizations, is available to Windows Insiders today and will reach general availability starting with Windows 11, version 26H2.
With the change, a recoverable list of settings and Microsoft Store apps becomes a baseline part of the Windows experience instead of an opt-in configuration step, shifting device resilience from something admins enable to something that ships on by default.
Key takeaways
- Windows settings backup and restore will be enabled by default on eligible devices.
- The feature was previously called Windows Backup for Organizations.
- It is available now to Windows Insiders.
- General availability starts with Windows 11, version 26H2.
- Backup covers a recoverable list of settings and Microsoft Store apps.
Affected
What happened
Microsoft says eligible Windows devices will now have the backup function on by default through Windows settings backup and restore. The capability was previously known as Windows Backup for Organizations.
According to Microsoft, the feature is available to Windows Insiders today and will become generally available starting with Windows 11, version 26H2. The company frames the change as making device resilience easier for the devices IT teams manage.
- Previously called Windows Backup for Organizations
- General availability starts with Windows 11, version 26H2
Why it matters
The shift matters because it changes a recoverable list of settings and Microsoft Store apps from an opt-in configuration step into a baseline part of the Windows experience. For administrators, that means device recovery data is captured by default rather than depending on someone remembering to enable it.
For MSPs and IT teams managing large fleets, a default-on baseline can reduce the manual setup involved in preparing devices for recovery and reprovisioning. It also sets a consistent starting point across eligible devices instead of a mix of configured and unconfigured endpoints.
From opt-in to baseline
The core change is behavioral: backup becomes the default state on eligible devices rather than something admins must switch on.
Who is affected
The change targets organizations and the eligible Windows devices they manage. The most relevant audiences include:
- IT administrators managing Windows 11 fleets
- Managed service providers overseeing customer devices
- Windows Insiders testing preview builds today
Availability is described as applying to eligible devices, so administrators should confirm which of their devices qualify as the rollout progresses toward Windows 11, version 26H2.
What to watch
With the feature already in preview for Windows Insiders, administrators can evaluate the behavior before it reaches general availability. Key things to track ahead of Windows 11, version 26H2:
- Which devices Microsoft classifies as eligible for the default-on behavior
- What settings and Microsoft Store apps are included in the recoverable list
- Whether and how administrators can adjust the default configuration
Because Microsoft has positioned this as a resilience baseline, IT teams may want to align their existing recovery and reprovisioning processes with the new default rather than treating backup as a separate manual step.
Impact & actions
Windows settings backup and restore becomes an on-by-default baseline for eligible devices, capturing a recoverable list of settings and Microsoft Store apps without an opt-in step.
Recommended actions · Low urgency
- 1Test the feature via Windows Insider builds before general availability
- 2Confirm which managed devices are eligible for the default-on behavior
- 3Align existing recovery and reprovisioning processes with the new backup baseline
Response
Customer guidance
Microsoft describes the feature as available to Windows Insiders now, with general availability starting with Windows 11, version 26H2.
FAQ
What is Windows settings backup and restore?
It is a Windows feature that captures a recoverable list of settings and Microsoft Store apps. It was previously called Windows Backup for Organizations.
When will it be on by default?
It is available to Windows Insiders now and becomes generally available on eligible devices starting with Windows 11, version 26H2.
What changes for administrators?
Backup shifts from an opt-in configuration step to an on-by-default baseline on eligible devices, so recovery data is captured without manual enablement.
The bottom line
Microsoft is turning Windows settings backup and restore on by default for eligible devices, making a recoverable list of settings and Microsoft Store apps a baseline rather than an opt-in step.
What happens next
What to do
