Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration

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In this blog, let’s check how to enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Currently the settings available in Windows Insiders only. This settings gives IT administrators control over the synchronization behavior of Windows Backup features. This policy specifically governs whether certain elements, such as language preferences, are included when user settings are backed up and synced across devices.

By enabling this setting, organizations can streamline the user experience by ensuring consistent preferences are carried across systems while still maintaining administrative oversight of what gets backed up. For enterprises with multilingual environments, the ability to manage syncing of language preferences becomes particularly valuable.

Some organizations may prefer a standardized system language to maintain consistency across devices, while others may wish to provide flexibility for end users to retain personal language preferences when switching between workstations. By configuring this policy, administrators can strike the right balance between standardization and personalization, ensuring operational efficiency without disrupting user productivity.

Furthermore, central management of backup and sync behavior improves overall compliance and reduces complexity for IT teams. Controlling whether Windows Backup includes language preferences not only helps in aligning with organizational policies but also minimizes unnecessary data transfers.

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Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 1
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 1

Enable Windows Backup Supported Platforms

This approach leads to optimized use of resources, enhanced policy enforcement, and a more predictable end-user environment across all Windows devices enrolled in the domain or managed through modern management solutions like Microsoft Intune. Here’s the Supported Platforms matrix for the Enable Windows Backup policy.

ScopeEditionsApplicable OS
✅ Device
❌ User		✅ Pro
✅ Enterprise
✅ Education
✅ IoT Enterprise / IoT Enterprise LTSC		✅ Windows Insider Preview
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Table. 1 (Credit: Microsoft)

Create a Configuration Policy to Enable Windows Backup in Intune

To enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune, follow these steps. First, sign in to the Microsoft Intune Admin Center with your administrator credentials.

  • Navigate to Devices > Windows > Manage devices > Configuration
  • Click on +Create > +New Policy
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 2
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 2

Next, we will create a new configuration profile from scratch. First, need to provide the options mentioned below.

  • Platform: Windows 10 and later
  • Profile type: Settings catalog
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 3
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 3

In the Basics details pane, name the configuration policy “Enable Windows Backup“. It’s also helpful to provide a brief description of the policy’s purpose. After that, click Next.

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 4
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 4

We can now add the necessary settings to the Configuration settings pane. To do this, click on +Add settings in the bottom left corner of the page.

Note: In Microsoft’s testing they have discovered admins may experience performance degradation when greater than 400 settings are added to a single policy. While they continue to make improvements, please take this into consideration when designing your policies.

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 5
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 5

Search for “Enable Windows Backup” as your keyword. This will help us find the appropriate policy based on your current needs. Next, navigate to the category labeled Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Sync your settings. Click on it, then check the option “Enable Windows Backup (Windows Insiders only)” Finally, close the Settings picker window.

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 6
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 6

On the current Sync your settings configuration page, ensure that Enable Windows Backup (Windows Insiders only) is set to Enabled and then click Next.

Note: This policy setting allows administrators to configure and manage windows backup for their organization. If you enable this policy setting, windows backup will occur periodically. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, windows backup will not take place. This setting is only available to Windows Insiders Learn more. Policy CSP: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/SettingsSync/EnableWindowsBackup

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 7
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 7

On the next page, leave the Scope tags as Default. If your tenant has custom scope tags, you can select them based on your policy needs, then click on Next.

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 8
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 8

I am assigning the configuration policy to the HTMD CPC – Test device group, specifically for a Windows 365 Cloud PCs. To do this, click on Add groups and select the desired device group under the Included groups option. In this example, I am not using any filters, and I have left the Excluded groups option blank.

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 9
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 9

On the Review + create page, carefully review all the settings you’ve defined for the Enable Windows Backup policy. Once you’ve confirmed everything is correct, select Create to deploy the policy.

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 10
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 10

Monitor the Enable Windows Backup Policy Deployment

The configuration policy has been deployed to the HTMD CPC – Test, a Windows 365 Cloud PC Microsoft Entra ID Device group. Once the device is synced, the policy will take effect immediately. To monitor the policy deployment status from the Intune Portal, follow the steps below.

  • Navigate to Devices > Windows > Configuration > Search for the Enable Windows Backup configuration policy.
  • Under the Device and user check-in status, you can see the policy’s deployment status
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 11
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 11

End User Experience of Enable Windows Backup Policy

To verify that the Enable Windows Backup policy is functioning properly, start by logging into the affected device. After logging in, check the policy’s status in the system settings.

  • Navigate to Start > Settings > Accounts > Windows backup

The Remember my preferences option is enabled. We can also access Accessibility, Accounts, Wi-Fi network and passwords, Personalization, Language preferences and dictionary, and Other Windows settings, which confirms that our policy has worked as expected.

Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 12
Easy way to Enable Windows Backup using Microsoft Intune Configuration. Fig. 12

Need Further Assistance or Have Technical Questions?

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Author

Vaishnav K has 12 years of experience in SCCM, Intune, Modern Device Management, and Automation Solutions. He writes and shares knowledge about Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, Azure, Entra, PowerShell Scripting, and Automation. Check out his profile on LinkedIn.

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