Microsoft now allows more enterprise users to restore their personal settings and Microsoft Store apps from a previous Windows 11 device.
The feature, known as the first sign-in restore experience, is part of Windows Backup for Organizations, an enterprise-grade backup tool that helps simplify backups and migrate to Windows 11 more easily.
It allows users who sign in to a new or reimaged Windows 11 device with a Microsoft Entra ID account to restore their previous settings and Microsoft Store app list on first login, even if they missed the option during the device’s initial setup.
This restore functionality was previously limited to devices joined to Microsoft Entra, the company’s cloud-based identity platform. With this update, Microsoft extends support to hybrid-managed environments, multi-user device setups, and Windows 365 Cloud PCs, broadening its reach across a wider range of enterprise deployment scenarios.
“This allows users to restore Windows settings, restore their Microsoft Store app list, or choose to configure the device as new,” Microsoft said on Tuesday.
“This feature extends restore capabilities beyond Microsoft Entra-joined devices to support hybrid-managed environments, improving readiness for new or reimaged Windows 11 devices.”
When a user logs into an eligible device for the first time, a prompt will appear offering the option to restore from a previous device’s backup or set up the device as new. Users who deliberately skip the restore step during initial device setup will not be prompted again.
The Windows first sign-in restore feature is managed through existing Windows Backup for Organizations policies and can be configured using Microsoft Intune or Group Policy, allowing IT administrators to deploy it without learning new tools.
Microsoft noted that the feature is particularly useful for organizations migrating to Windows 11 or those that go through frequent hardware refreshes, and added that admins will retain full control over which devices and users the restore experience applies to.
“General availability begins with devices that have installed Windows updates released February 24, 2026, and later. The experience is controlled by admins and governed by existing Windows Backup for Organizations policies,” Microsoft said.
Windows Backup for Organizations was first announced at the Microsoft Ignite conference in November 2024 as an opt-in feature disabled by default, reaching public preview in May 2025 and general availability in October.
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