Plan for Change: Windows settings backup policy is becoming a new default
Microsoft announcement
Starting with Windows 11, version 26H2, the default behavior of the Windows settings backup policy will shift from disabled to enabled. Default-on applies only to eligible devices and only when you haven't explicitly set the policy. Explicit enablement and disablement settings are always honored. Restore behavior is unchanged: it remains admin-controlled and isn’t enabled by default.
This change makes backup a baseline resilience capability, so you can restore users' apps, settings, and Microsoft Store app list easier after a device reset, replacement, or upgrade. You keep full control through Microsoft Intune, Group Policy, or other device management solutions.
[When this will happen:]
- This change is currently available for preview via Windows Insider Program (Experimental channel).
- The default-on behavior takes effect when Windows 11, version 26H2 reaches general availability in the second half of 2026.
- Devices originally running Windows 11, version 26H1 will receive the same default-on treatment starting with the following feature update.
[How this will affect your organization:]
Default-on applies only to devices that meet all of the following criteria:
- Running Windows 11, version 26H2 or later
- In countries or regions not regulated by the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA)
- With the backup policy in a Not Configured state under Windows settings backup and restore
Devices with an explicitly configured backup policy—enabled or disabled—are unaffected. Restore behavior remains admin-controlled and is not enabled by default. Users can still turn off backup through the Windows Backup app or Windows settings page.
[What to do to prepare:]
Review your current backup policy state ahead of Windows 11, version 26H2 deployment and decide your intended behavior:
- To use backup (recommended): No action required. The default takes effect for eligible devices.
- To opt out: Explicitly disable the backup policy through Microsoft Intune, Group Policy, or your mobile device management (MDM) provider. If you explicitly disable the policy, your setting takes precedence over the default.
- To enable the restore behavior: Configure the restore policy separately. Default-on for backup doesn’t enable the restore behavior.
No action is required if your organization is in a DMA region, in a sovereign or restricted cloud environment, or if you have already explicitly configured the backup policy.
[Additional information:]
Change history
- 2026-08-22 · Created · All