Microsoft's official support page explains how to use Windows Backup to copy your user folders, apps and Windows settings to your Microsoft account, and how to bring them back when you set up a new PC or reinstall Windows. The steps below are Microsoft's own, as published on its help page for Windows 11 and Windows 10.
What it does
Microsoft describes Windows Backup as "a one-stop backup solution" that, in its words, helps you back up "your files, themes, and settings to many of your installed apps and Wi-Fi information" and makes it easier to move to a new PC.
According to Microsoft, backing up your folders syncs the folders you choose to OneDrive, so they are accessible on all computers you use with the same Microsoft account. The page says a free Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage, and that more storage is available to purchase.
Before you start
Microsoft says the Windows Backup app is currently focused on consumer devices — devices signed into a personal Microsoft account such as *@outlook.com or *@live.com — and that work or school Microsoft accounts won't work.
The page also notes that backing up Personalization requires OneDrive sign-in and available storage, and that personalization preferences will not be backed up if you have insufficient OneDrive storage.
Steps
Step 1: Sign in with a Microsoft account. In the Settings app, Microsoft says to select Accounts > Your info, then select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. The page notes you will see that option only if you are using a local account; if you see Sign in with a local account instead, you are already using your Microsoft account.
Step 2: Back up your folders. Microsoft says to select Start, type backup, and select Windows Backup from the results. Then expand Folders and choose which user folders to back up to OneDrive — Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music — by toggling the switch for each folder to On. Microsoft adds that you can also manage the configuration from the Settings app under Accounts > Windows backup.
Step 3: Back up your settings and preferences. The options Microsoft lists are Installed apps; Accessibility; Accounts, Wi-Fi network and passwords; Personalization like Wallpaper, color, theme, start layout, etc.; Language preferences and dictionary; and Other Windows settings. Expand each element to check its status and toggle a setting On to back it up, then select Back up. Microsoft notes that settings already backed up in the past will show as Backed up with the toggle unavailable.
Step 4: Check the result. Microsoft says your folders and settings are then backed up, and that you can reopen the Windows Backup app to see the current state of your backup, or check in Settings under Accounts > Windows backup. If you get an error from OneDrive, Microsoft says you may not be signed in to OneDrive, may have insufficient storage, or there may be another OneDrive issue to resolve.
Restoring, and changing what gets backed up
To restore, Microsoft says that when you get a new PC or reinstall Windows, you should log in during setup with the same Microsoft account used to make the backup; Windows will see the backups and ask whether you want to restore one. If more than one PC is backed up, the page says you can select More options and choose which backup to restore from.
Microsoft says app pins are restored where you left them, apps available in the Microsoft Store can be restored by selecting the app pin, and for apps that aren't in the Store you'll be directed to the web to download the installer. Files, it says, can be restored anytime by signing in to OneDrive with the same Microsoft account. For the full list of supported settings, Microsoft points to the Windows Backup Settings Catalog.
To change the configuration, Microsoft says to open Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. The page gives two sets of control names across its Windows 11 and Windows 10 instructions: one version describes Manage sync settings under OneDrive folder synching, a Remember my apps toggle and checkboxes under Remember my preferences; the other describes Back up files, a Get quick access to apps on Windows device toggle and toggles under Remember my preferences. The source does not state clearly which labels apply to which Windows version, so check the wording on your own device.
Microsoft also says that if you turned off backup and want to delete previously backed-up data, you can visit your Microsoft Account Devices page, find the Cloud synced settings section at the bottom and select Clear stored settings. Separately, the page says Microsoft Edge preferences are handled by signing in to Edge and turning on sync.
What to do
- Sign in to Windows with a personal Microsoft account via Settings > Accounts > Your info; Microsoft says work or school accounts won't work with Windows Backup.
- Open Windows Backup from Start by typing backup, expand Folders, and toggle Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music to On to sync them to OneDrive.
- Expand each settings category in Windows Backup and toggle On the items you want saved, then select Back up.
- Confirm the backup state later by reopening the Windows Backup app or checking Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.
- If OneDrive returns an error, check that you are signed in to OneDrive and have enough storage; Microsoft points to its Fix OneDrive sync problems page.
- To restore, sign in during new-PC setup with the same Microsoft account and accept the restore prompt, using More options to pick a specific backup.
- To change or stop backups, go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup; to delete previously backed-up data, use Clear stored settings under Cloud synced settings on your Microsoft Account Devices page.
- To sync browser favorites, Microsoft says to sign in to Microsoft Edge and turn on sync.
Key facts and where they come from
- Microsoft says a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage.
Your free Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage (and more storage is available to purchase if you need it)
- Work or school Microsoft accounts are not supported by the Windows Backup app.
Work or school Microsoft accounts won't work.
- You can back up the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music folders to OneDrive.
You can back up your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders by toggling the switch for each folder to On
- Restoring happens during setup when you sign in with the same Microsoft account.
when you are setting it up, just log in with the same Microsoft account that you used to make the backup here
- Apps not sold in the Microsoft Store are not restored automatically.
For apps that aren’t available in the Store, you’ll be directed to the web to download the installer
- Personalization backup depends on OneDrive storage.
Personalization preferences will not be backed up if you have insufficient OneDrive storage.
- Microsoft states Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
Support for Windows 10 has ended on October 14, 2025