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Windows 10 has Microsoft’s Windows Backup app, too. Updates released on or after August 22, 2023 installed it as a Windows system component. It can sync selected folders and back up supported settings and app information for a personal Microsoft account, then offer a restore during setup of a new Windows 11 PC. It does not create a complete copy of Windows or guarantee that every app will be restored exactly as before.
What Microsoft brought to Windows 10
Microsoft’s Windows Backup app is available on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft says updates released on and after August 22, 2023 installed the app as a system component; it is not a separate backup program you need to buy. Its consumer migration workflow lets you choose content on a Windows 10 PC and use the same personal Microsoft account to restore supported items when setting up a new PC.
Microsoft announced the backup and restore improvements in May 2023, then described Windows 10 as a source for backups and Windows 11 version 22H2 or later as a restore destination in its September 2023 feature announcement. That announcement noted geographic availability and required network access during setup. The current support instructions describe the consumer app and its supported content; the older announcements explain the original cross-version migration feature.
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. Windows Backup does not change that support status.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Who can use the consumer backup flow
The documented Windows Backup experience is intended for consumer devices signed in with a personal Microsoft account (MSA), such as an Outlook.com or Live.com account. Microsoft says work or school accounts are not supported by the consumer app, including Entra ID and Active Directory users. Some Enterprise, domain-joined, guest, or policy-restricted configurations may not show the app in All apps or Installed apps. Microsoft describes it as a system component that cannot be removed.
If it will not run and shows “This feature is not supported by your organization,” the account or device may be managed or restricted in a way the consumer app does not support. Use your organization’s approved backup process or ask its administrator which options are available; the consumer app is not a substitute for an organization-managed backup solution.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
What Windows Backup saves
Selected folders through OneDrive
You can choose Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music to sync to OneDrive. This is cloud folder sync, so the available OneDrive storage matters. Microsoft’s current support documentation says a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage; additional storage is available to purchase. If the selected folders exceed the space available to your account, you will need to free space, select less content, or obtain more storage.
Supported settings and preferences
Windows Backup can include supported settings for personalization, accessibility, accounts, language preferences and dictionary, and other Windows options. It can also back up Wi-Fi network and password information. The exact content available depends on account sign-in, OneDrive sign-in, storage, and device configuration.
Rank #3
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
App list and pins—not a full app copy
The app can save app lists and pins. During restore, Microsoft Store apps may be restored through their pins. An app that is not available through Microsoft Store may lead to an installer webpage, and some apps require you to download an installer or reinstall them manually. Browser preferences have a separate path: Microsoft says to use Edge sync for Edge settings.
Microsoft’s June 13, 2024 Windows 10 22H2 Beta-channel release note also documented backup and restore support for certain Activity History and printer preferences not tied to specific hardware, plus a fix for duplicate wallpaper backup failures. That was a Beta-channel rollout note, not a claim that every Windows 10 PC received those changes at the same time.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
How to back up a Windows 10 PC
- Sign in to Windows with the personal Microsoft account you plan to use on the new PC, and sign in to OneDrive.
- Open Start, search for Windows Backup, and open the app. Microsoft’s feature announcement instructs users to search for Windows Backup to choose what to back up.
- In the app, review the available backup categories and choose the folders and settings you want saved. Check that your OneDrive has enough space for the selected folders.
- Allow the selected folders and supported information to sync. The files are stored through OneDrive; a network connection is needed for cloud sync.
How restore works on a new Windows 11 PC
- During initial setup of the new PC, connect to a network and sign in with the same personal Microsoft account used for the backup.
- When Windows offers available backups, choose the Windows 10 PC backup you want to use.
- Select the backup to restore. Windows can bring back supported settings and app pins. Files are available by signing in to OneDrive.
- For apps that are not restored automatically, follow the installer link if one is offered or reinstall the app yourself. Use Edge sync separately for Edge browser preferences.
This is a setup-time migration aid, not a general recovery tool for every problem. Microsoft’s documented flow does not describe a full disk image, bare-metal recovery, or a way to restore the complete Windows installation after a drive failure. If you need protection against a failed drive or want an offline copy, evaluate a separate backup approach designed for that purpose; Windows Backup’s documented role is selected cloud-synced folders, supported settings, and setup-time transfer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- World’s First 6TB 2.5” Portable Hard Drive
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
What to check before relying on it
- Account: Confirm that both PCs use the same personal Microsoft account for this consumer restore flow.
- Connection: Have network access during new-PC setup so Windows can find the backup and OneDrive files.
- Capacity: Compare the folders you selected with available OneDrive space; the free allowance is 5 GB per Microsoft’s current support documentation.
- Apps: Expect to reinstall some applications and sign in or configure them again; saved pins are not equivalent to a full app image.
- Scope: Treat this as a selected-content migration, not as a complete system image or drive-failure recovery plan.
- Windows 10 security: Because Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025, a successful backup does not provide ongoing security updates for the old PC.
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