Microsoft Enables Settings Backup by Default in Windows 11

Microsoft has made significant changes to how Windows device recovery works in enterprise environments. The company will now enable Windows settings backup by default on eligible Windows 11 version 26H2 devices, automatically saving users' Windows settings and Microsoft Store app lists.

This feature was previously known as Windows Backup for Organizations and helps preserve user settings for recovery, replacement, or reimage scenarios. By enabling settings backup by default, organizations can reduce disruption when devices need recovery or replacement.

Microsoft positions this change as a new 'resilience baseline' to ensure more devices have recovery data available before problems occur within organizations. Administrators retain control over restore functionality and existing Intune, Group Policy, and MDM configurations remain unchanged.