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When Windows backup is turned on, Windows backs up the settings you choose across all your Windows 11 devices that you've signed in to with your Microsoft account.  

Turn on Windows backup

To turn on Windows backup and choose your backup settings, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.

Open Windows backup settings

The following items can be backed up:

  • OneDrive folder syncing

    Turn on OneDrive folder syncing to start backing up your files and folders right from Settings. This setting is not available for work or school accounts.

  • Remember my apps

    Windows will remember the apps you have installed and help you restore them from Microsoft Store on your new devices. This setting is not available for work or school accounts, and Windows does not remember your apps for work or school accounts.

  • Remember my preferences

    You can back up preferences including accessibility passwords, language, and other Windows settings. If you turn on Other Windows settings, Windows also syncs some device settings (for things like printers and mouse options), File Explorer settings, and notification preferences.

    Note: The Remember my preferences settings are available for a work or school account if it’s allowed by your organization. For more info about how Azure Active Directory and Enterprise State Roaming work to synchronize user and app settings to the cloud, see Enterprise State Roaming overview.

How to stop backing up items

To stop backing up your settings and remove them from the cloud, turn off Windows backup settings on all the devices connected to your Microsoft account. After this is done, you'll need to remove these settings from your account. Here's how:

  1. Go to account.microsoft.com/devices.

  2. At the bottom of the page, select Clear stored settings.

When Sync settings is turned on, Windows syncs the settings you choose across all your Windows 10 devices that you've signed in to with your Microsoft account.

Note: You can also sync your settings for a work or school account if it’s allowed by your organization. For more info about how Azure Active Directory and Enterprise State Roaming work to synchronize user and app settings to the cloud, see Enterprise State Roaming overview.

To find Sync settings, select Start , then select Settings  > Accounts  > Sync your settings .

Choose from settings such as language preferences, passwords, and color themes. If you turn on Other Windows settings, Windows also syncs some device settings (for things like printers and mouse options), File Explorer settings, and notification preferences. For a complete list of settings that Windows can sync, see Windows 10 roaming settings reference.

Open Sync settings

To stop syncing your settings and remove them from the cloud, turn off synced settings on all the devices connected to your Microsoft account. After this is done, you'll need to remove it from your account. Here's how:

  1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices.

  2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select Clear stored settings.

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