How to Modify your Windows backup Configuration in Windows 11

Change Your Backup Settings

Windows 11 backup settings allow users to make important changes. Users access these backup settings within the Windows Settings app. To begin modifying backup configurations, open the Windows Settings app and find the backup section.

How to Find Your Backup Settings

You can find your Windows backup settings in Windows 11 by opening the Start menu and typing ‘Windows Backup’ into the search bar. Clicking the resulting app is the quickest way to see all your backup options and make sure your important files are being saved.

Using the Start Menu: Click the Start button. Type “Windows Backup”. You should see the Windows Backup app in the search results. Click it to open.

Using the Settings App Directly: You can also go straight to Settings. Click the Start button. Then, click the Settings cogwheel icon. When Settings opens, click on Accounts on the left side. Then, click on Windows backup on the right side.

Change Which Folders Are Saved

You can change which personal folders get saved to OneDrive directly from the main Windows Backup screen. This lets you pick exactly which files are automatically copied to your Microsoft account, ensuring your most important documents are always protected.

On the Windows backup screen, look for the part about OneDrive folder syncing (this is when files in specific folders on your PC are automatically copied to your Microsoft cloud storage). You will probably see an option like Manage sync settings.

Click on that option.

Windows 11 backup settings display a list of your main folders, such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. Selecting these folders determines which personal files Windows 11 will automatically back up for you.

Manage App Backups

Windows Backup helps you manage which apps are saved, making it much simpler when you get a new PC. You can turn this app backup feature on or off from the main Windows Backup screen to choose which installed programs can be quickly restored later.

On the main Windows backup screen, find the setting for apps. It might say something like Remember my apps or Get quick access to apps on Windows device.

Change Settings and Preferences Backups

You can change which Windows settings and personal preferences get saved to your backup, like Wi-Fi passwords and theme choices. Look for the ‘Remember my preferences’ section on the Windows backup screen to easily see and manage these important settings.

Scroll down on the Windows backup screen. Look for a section called something like Remember my preferences.

Here, you will see a list of different types of settings. Each type will have a checkbox next to it.

Check the box for any setting type you want Windows Backup to save. Uncheck any you don’t want backed up.

What Is Saved?

• Personalization: This includes your wallpaper, accent colors, theme settings, and how your ⊞ Start menu looks. It’s what makes your PC feel like yours.
• Accounts, 📶 Wi-Fi network, and passwords: Very useful! This means you don’t have to remember all those 📶 Wi-Fi passwords when you get a new computer.
• Language preferences and dictionary: If you type in different languages or have custom words for your dictionary, this will save them.
• Other ⚙️ Windows settings: This is a general category. It can include things like your 📁 File Explorer settings, notification choices, and some basic device settings like printer or mouse options. For work or school accounts, your IT department might control this setting.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/backup-recovery/back-up-and-restore-with-windows-backup

Summary

You can easily change your Windows backup configuration to save specific folders to OneDrive, remember your installed apps, and back up settings like Wi-Fi passwords and personalization preferences.