How to Enable Remember My Apps in Windows 11
“Remember my apps” in Windows 11 automatically reinstalls your Microsoft Store apps when you sign into a new PC or after a fresh Windows installation.
This built-in feature helps you quickly set up your device by remembering your previously downloaded applications from the Microsoft Store.
When you sign in with your Microsoft account on a new machine, Windows 11 will present a list of your past Microsoft Store app installations, allowing you to easily reinstall them.
Enabling this setting streamlines the process, saving you time searching for and redownloading your favorite apps.
Enable “Remember my apps” by going to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. Toggle the “Remember my apps” switch to On. This syncs your Microsoft Store apps to your account for easier reinstallation on new devices.
Why use this feature?
The Remember My Apps feature in Windows 11 saves you time when setting up a new PC by remembering your app preferences.
What happens when you are done?
When you turn on Remember My Apps, Windows 11 saves your app list to your Microsoft account, making it easy to restore them on a new PC.
Prerequisites for Syncing
Before you start, here’s what you’ll need:
- You must be signed in with a personal Microsoft account.
- This feature does not work with work or school accounts.
- You must have an active internet connection.
- Diagnostic data settings must be enabled to allow cloud sync.
How to Enable Remember My Apps
To turn on Remember My Apps in Windows 11, you’ll need to go into your Settings and adjust a specific backup option.
1. Open your Settings. You can press the Windows key + I on your keyboard or click on Start System Settings and select Settings.
2. In the Settings menu, click on the Accounts tab on the left side.
3. Select the Windows backup tile to see more options.
4. Locate the Remember my apps option. Toggle the switch to the On position.
5. You can now close the Settings app.
Troubleshooting: Why is the toggle greyed out?
If the ‘Remember my apps’ toggle is greyed out in Windows 11, it usually means your diagnostic data settings need to be adjusted.
How to Force a Sync
If your settings are not updating, you can force a sync by signing out of your Microsoft account and signing back in. Alternatively, open the Windows Backup app from the Start menu and click the Back up button to manually trigger an update to your cloud storage.
How to Disable the Feature
You can turn off the Remember My Apps feature in Windows 11 by following the same steps as enabling it, but switching the option off.
If you want to remove your backed-up settings from the cloud entirely, you must turn off Windows backup on all your connected devices. After doing that, follow these steps:
- Go to account.microsoft.com/devices.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Select the button that says Clear stored settings.
Summary
The Remember My Apps feature in Windows 11 helps keep your apps consistent across devices by syncing them with your Microsoft account.
Does ‘Remember my apps’ restore desktop apps or only Microsoft Store apps?
This feature primarily restores apps installed via the Microsoft Store. While it creates a shortcut for some desktop applications, it does not automatically install traditional .exe or .msi files. You may still need to manually download and install specific desktop software after the initial sync process completes.
Does this feature work on 🪟 Windows 11 Pro and Home editions?
Yes, the Remember my apps feature is available on both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro editions. As long as you are using a personal Microsoft account and have enabled the necessary diagnostic data settings, the feature will function correctly on both versions of the operating system.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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