How to backup and restore files, apps, settings using OneDrive on Windows 11

UPDATED 3/27/2025: On Windows 11, you can use the “Windows Backup” settings (or app) to back up your files, settings, credentials, and apps to the cloud, which you can then restore on a new computer or clean installation, and in this guide, I’ll explain how to complete this setup.

Windows Backup is a collection of features that allows you to create a backup of your computer to your OneDrive account. In the event you lose a file, you can access the OneDrive folder to recover it. If you’re setting up a new device or reinstalling Windows 11, during the initial setup, you will be offered the option to restore your folders, apps, settings, and credentials from the backup with one click.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to back up and restore your files, settings, and apps on Windows 11.

• Create OneDrive cloud backup from Settings on Windows 11
• Create OneDrive cloud backup from Windows Backup app on Windows 11
• Restore OneDrive cloud backup from OOBE on Windows 11

Create OneDrive cloud backup from Settings on Windows 11

To create a backup of your files, apps, settings, and credentials to the cloud on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Accounts.

3. Click the Windows backup page.

4. Click the “Manage sync settings” button in the “OneDrive folder syncing” setting.

   

5. Turn on the toggle switch for folders you want to back up to the cloud, including “Documents,” “Pictures,” “Desktop,” “Music,” and “Videos.”

   

6. Click the Start backup button.

7. Turn on the “Remember my apps” toggle switch to back up your Microsoft Store apps to the cloud.

8. Turn on the “Remember my preferences” toggle switch to back up your settings for personalization, language, system, accessibility, and accounts and passwords.

Once you complete the steps, your files, settings, and credentials will be uploaded and backed up in your OneDrive account. In addition, the system will make an inventory of your apps and back up their data to the cloud. When restoring, the operating system will restore the apps from the Microsoft Store, but it won’t install them. Instead, when clicking the app, the system will download the rest of the files from the Microsoft Store and restore their data. 

On the other hand, the Windows Backup app will also restore legacy apps outside of the Microsoft Store, but it won’t install them either. Instead, when clicking the app from the Start menu or Taskbar, you will be redirected to the application website to download the installer.

Create OneDrive cloud backup from Windows Backup app on Windows 11

Alternatively, the operating system also includes the “Windows Backup” app to accomplish the same task. However, it may be confusing for some users since it includes the same settings available in the “Windows Backup” page in the Settings app, but once the features are enabled, you cannot control them through the app. You have to use the Settings app.

To create a backup of your files, apps, settings, and credentials to the cloud with the Windows Backup app, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Windows Backup and click the top result to open the app.

3. Click on Folders.

4. Turn on the location of files to back up to the cloud, including “Desktop,” “Documents,” and “Pictures.”

   

5. Click on Apps.

6. Turn on the “Quick access apps on any Windows device” toggle switch.

   

7. Click on Settings.

8. Turn on the “Accessibility,” “Language preferences and dictionary,” “Other Windows settings,” and “Personalization” toggle switches, depending on the settings you want to protect.

   

9. Click on Credentials.

10. Turn on the “Wi-Fi networks & passwords” toggle switch.

    

After you complete the steps, the system will back up your files and other data to the cloud on your OneDrive account.

Restore OneDrive cloud backup from OOBE on Windows 11

On Windows 11, the backup feature has been designed to protect your settings and files. Although you can restore your files through the OneDrive folder, you cannot manually restore your settings and apps on your existing setup. Instead, when setting up a new computer or installation, during the initial process, you will have the option to choose to restore everything on the new setup.

To restore your settings, files, and apps on a new Windows 11 installation during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE), use these steps:

1. Choose your region and click the Yes button.

2. Select your keyboard language and click the Yes button.

3. Click the Skip button.

4. (Optional) Confirm a name for the computer and click the Yes button.

5. Choose the “Set up for personal use” option. (This option is only available in the Windows 11 Pro setup.)

   

6. Click the Sign in button.

7. Confirm your Microsoft account and click the Next button.

   

   Quick note: Use the same account that you were using at the time the backup was created.

8. Create a PIN for your account and click the OK button.

   

9. Confirm your privacy settings and click the Accept button.

   

10. (Option 1) Click the Continue button to restore your files, settings, and apps from the latest backup.

    

11. (Option 2) Click on More options.

12. Choose the latest backup from the list to apply to your new installation.

    

13. Click the Continue button.

14. Continue with the on-screen directions as necessary.

Once you complete the steps, the system will finish the setup, automatically restoring your files, settings, and apps. This process will also preserve the app pins in the Taskbar.

The only caveat about the Windows Backup solution is that it doesn’t provide an interface to restore items individually, and you can’t use it to restore the entire setup after hardware failure or file corruption. Instead, the files will always be available through OneDrive, and you can only recover your apps, settings, and credentials through the Out-of-box Experience.

Although Microsoft wants users to back up their system this way, you can also create a full backup using the legacy Backup and Restore feature. Alternatively, you can create backups with third-party tools, such as Macrium Reflect and Veeam.

Update March 27, 2025: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.