Your Windows PC brings a variety of ways to back up the things that are most important to you, from your files and settings to your browser preferences. This helps protect those things, and when you move to another PC (or even upgrade to a new version of Windows), your stuff will come with you.
This guide will help you back up key things on your Windows PC.
Step 1: Sign in with a Microsoft account
This is the account associated with Windows, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Xbox, and more. Your backed-up information will be stored with your Microsoft account, so getting back to your things on a new PC is as easy as signing in.
To sign in to your Microsoft account, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Your info . Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. You’ll see this only if you’re using a local account. If you see Sign in with a local account instead, you’re already using your Microsoft account.
Step 2: Back up your apps
If you back up your apps, you’ll be able to quickly restore them on a new device, saving you time and helping you have all your favorites available.
To back up your apps, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. Then, turn on Remember my apps .
To confirm that your apps are backed up, look at the top of the Windows backup page. Under App list you’ll see the status Backed up.
Step 3: Back up your settings
In Windows 11, your settings are stored as part of your preferences. This includes things like File Explorer settings, notification preferences, and device settings for printers and mouse options. You can also back up passwords and language preferences.
To back up your settings, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. Then, turn on Remember my preferences and choose the settings you’d like to back up.
To confirm that your settings are backed up, look at the top of the Windows backup page. Under Preferences you’ll see the status Backed up.
Learn more about Windows backup in Windows 11
Step 4: Back up your files and photos with OneDrive
5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage comes with your free Microsoft account. With OneDrive, you can sync files between your PC and the cloud so those files stay backed up and protected, and so you can get to those files from anywhere, on any device.
Step 5: Sync your Microsoft Edge preferences
To easily browse the web from any of your devices and keep your favorites organized, sign in to Microsoft Edge and turn on sync.
Step 6: You’re all backed up!
Your PC and files are now backed up, so you can get to your things across devices and easily move to a new PC.
Your Windows PC brings a variety of ways to back up the things that are most important to you, from your files and settings to your browser preferences. This helps protect those things, and when you move to another PC (or even upgrade to a new version of Windows), your stuff will come with you.
This guide will help you back up key things on your Windows PC.
Step 1: Sign in with a Microsoft account
This is the account associated with Windows, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Xbox, and more. Your backed-up information will be stored with your Microsoft account, so getting back to your things on a new PC is as easy as signing in.
To sign in to your Microsoft account, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Your info . Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. You’ll see this only if you’re using a local account. If you see Sign in with a local account instead, you’re already using your Microsoft account.
Step 2: Back up your apps and settings
If you back up your apps and settings, you’ll be able to quickly restore them on a new device, saving you time and helping you have all your favorites available.
To back up your apps and settings, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings . Then, turn on Sync settings. You can choose individual settings you’d like to sync, including theme, passwords, and more.
Learn about Windows backup and sync settings
Step 3: Back up your files and photos with OneDrive
5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage comes with your free Microsoft account. With OneDrive, you can sync files between your PC and the cloud so those files stay backed up and protected, and so you can get to those files from anywhere, on any device.
Step 4: Sync your Microsoft Edge preferences
To easily browse the web from any of your devices and keep your favorites organized, sign in to Microsoft Edge and turn on sync.
Step 5: You’re all backed up!
Your PC and files are now backed up, so you can get to your things across devices and easily move to a new PC.
