Default Policy Change for Enterprise Backup
Microsoft has announced that starting with Windows 11 version 26H2, the Windows settings backup tool for organizations will be enabled by default on eligible enterprise devices. Previously an opt-in feature that required IT administrators to manually configure backup and restore policies, the shift aims to simplify data protection for Windows systems joined to Microsoft Entra or hybrid Entra environments.
The tool, first previewed at Microsoft Ignite in November 2024 and broadly available since August 2025, automatically backs up user settings across device resets, replacements, upgrades, or reimages. Under the new default on behavior, IT admins can still override the setting using Microsoft Intune or Group Policy, and explicit policy configurations will always take precedence.
Scope and Implementation Details
The default on policy applies only to devices running Windows 11 version 26H2 in countries not regulated by the EU Digital Markets Act and outside sovereign or restricted cloud environments. Devices where the backup policy has not been explicitly configured by administrators will automatically use the new default.
Microsoft emphasized that restore functionality will remain disabled by default, requiring explicit admin configuration before users can restore Windows devices. The change first becomes available in the Windows Insider Program Experimental channel starting July 2026, with broad deployment expected when Windows 11 version 26H2 reaches general availability later this year.
Source: BleepingComputer
