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Windows features · Windows 11 Windows Backup

Windows 11: Sync Settings and Folders with Windows Backup

Sync settings and folders with Windows Backup. Open [Windows Backup] from Start and check the Microsoft account used for backup. Each item will be marked as [Backed up] and you can check the selected files on OneDrive of your Microsoft account.

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Windows 11: Sync Settings and Folders with Windows Backup overview: Purpose and prerequisites, Configure the feature, Try it out and see the results, Turn it off and restore the previous setup
An overview of this guide’s steps and checks, not a screenshot of the app.

Who this guide is for and what to prepare

  • Users who want to streamline daily operations with Windows 11
  • Users who want to try out the feature in a way that allows them to restore the settings.

What you need

  • Save the file you are working on and try it with test data that does not include personal information.
  • Windows Backup is not a complete disk image. Available items vary depending on capacity, region, account type, and organization policy.

Purpose and prerequisites

Sync settings and folders with Windows Backup. Open [Windows Backup] from Start and check the Microsoft account used for backup. Each item will be marked as [Backed up] and you can check the selected files on OneDrive of your Microsoft account.

Windows Backup is not a complete disk image. Available items vary depending on capacity, region, account type, and organization policy.

Windows Backup is for personal Microsoft accounts, not work or school accounts. Free Microsoft accounts include 5GB of OneDrive cloud space. Folder backup uses that capacity, and storing more than 5GB requires purchasing additional OneDrive or Microsoft 365 space. Backup of folders and personal settings will not be completed if there is insufficient free space.

Configure the feature

Open [Windows Backup] from Start and check the Microsoft account used for backup.

  1. Open [Windows Backup] on Start and check the Microsoft account used for backup.

Try it out and see the results

Expand [Folders], [Apps], [Settings], and [Credentials], and select the items you want to synchronize. Check the OneDrive capacity and current storage location before turning on the folder. Each item will be marked as [Backed up] and you can check the selected files on OneDrive of your Microsoft account.

Before enabling a folder, compare the remaining space in OneDrive with the size of the target folder. Keep the power and network on until the sync is complete, and make sure you can open the file in OneDrive in your browser. When migrating to another PC, sign in with the same Microsoft account, but restoring app items does not mean duplicating all desktop apps and internal data in their entirety.

  1. Expand [Folders], [Apps], [Settings], and [Credentials], and select the items you want to synchronize. Check the OneDrive capacity and current storage location before turning on the folder.
  2. Each item will be marked as [Backed up] and you can check the selected files on OneDrive of your Microsoft account.

Turn it off and restore the previous setup

Turn off unnecessary items in [Settings] > [Accounts] > [Windows Backup] or OneDrive's [Sync and Backup]. Deleting existing files on the cloud is a separate operation.

  1. Turn off unnecessary items in [Settings] > [Accounts] > [Windows Backup] or OneDrive's [Sync & Backup]. Deleting existing files on the cloud is a separate operation.

Limitations and requirements

  • It's not a complete disk image. Check your personal Microsoft account and OneDrive free space, and don't use it with your work or school account.
  • If the settings are fixed on an organization-managed PC, check with the administrator instead of using unofficial methods to circumvent the policy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I restore the entire Windows?

This feature backs up target folders, settings, etc., and is not an image of the entire disk. Plan app installation and migration of application-specific data separately.

What if I exceed the free capacity?

If there is not enough free space in OneDrive, the backup of the target file will not be completed. Please review your target or check the conditions for additional capacity required on the official page.

Official sources and verification date

Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.

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