Windows Backup for Organizations: Intune Integration for Windows 10 to 11 Migration

In-Depth Guide: Windows Backup for Organizations with Intune Support

As Windows 10 nears end of support on October 14, 2025, many IT teams face the daunting task of migrating users and devices to Windows 11. Microsoft’s Windows Backup for Organizations—now fully supported in Intune—offers a streamlined way to back up user settings and app lists on Windows 10 or 11 devices and restore them during device setup. This ensures users retain their familiar environment and reduces help desk tickets during mass rollouts.

Why Use Windows Backup for Organizations?

Traditional user state migrations require complex tools and manual steps. Windows Backup for Organizations simplifies this by:

• Automating backups
  Backups run every eight days without user intervention. Administrators can also trigger manual backups via the Windows Backup app.
• Capturing key user data
  The service backs up Windows settings (like themes, taskbar layout, and File Explorer view options) and lists of Microsoft Store apps, ensuring a consistent experience after reimage or upgrade.
• Seamless restore during OOBE
  During Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) on Windows 11, users can choose to restore from a backup tied to their Entra ID. Settings and apps automatically apply after initial sign-in.
• Reducing support overhead
  With user environments automatically restored, IT help desk calls drop, and migrations progress faster.

How It Works

1. Backup Process
   • A Windows service runs in the background every eight days to capture current settings and app lists.
   • Users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID have their data encrypted and stored in their organization’s tenant.
2. Storage and Security
   • Backups reside in the organization’s secure cloud storage bound to each user’s Entra ID.
   • Data in transit is encrypted via TLS; at rest, it’s protected by Microsoft’s enterprise-grade encryption.
3. Restore During OOBE
   • On a newly imaged or replaced device, users sign in with their Entra credentials.
   • The OOBE wizard detects available backups and prompts users to restore.
   • Windows applies settings and reinstalls Store apps silently in the background.

Requirements

Before enabling Windows Backup for Organizations, ensure:

• Device state
• Entra-joined or hybrid-joined devices for backup.
• Entra-joined devices for restore (restore during OOBE).
• OS versions
• Windows 10, version 22H2 or later.
• Windows 11, version 22H2 or later.
• Updates
• August 2025 Windows security update or newer installed.
• Permissions
• Intune Service Administrator role to configure backup and restore settings.

Step-by-Step: Configure Backup in Intune

1. Sign in to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center at https://endpoint.microsoft.com.
2. Navigate to Devices → Configuration → Settings catalog.
3. Click + Create profile and choose:
   • Platform: Windows 10 and later
   • Profile type: Sync Your Settings
4. In the settings picker, search for Windows Backup.
5. Set Enable Windows Backup to Yes.
6. Assign the profile to the device groups slated for migration.
7. Review and click Create.

This policy activates automatic backups on targeted Windows devices.

Step-by-Step: Enable Restore During OOBE

1. In the admin center, go to Devices → Enrollment → Windows enrollment → Enrollment options.
2. Under Windows Backup and Restore, find Show restore page.
3. Toggle it to On to display the restore option during OOBE.
4. Assign this setting to the same device groups.
5. Click Save.

Now, when users first sign in to a new or reimaged Windows 11 device, they’ll see a prompt to restore their backed-up settings and apps.

Best Practices and Tips

• Pilot with a small group before rolling out broadly. Validate backup frequency and restore behavior.
• Communicate to users that a restore prompt will appear during initial setup. Provide simple instructions to choose “Restore” for their old settings.
• Monitor backups in Intune’s device configuration status. Look for failures and troubleshoot missing devices or update gaps.
• Combine with other policies such as Windows Autopilot for a fully automated provisioning and restore experience.
• Audit restore events in Entra’s sign-in logs to track successful and failed restores.

Conclusion

Windows Backup for Organizations in Intune removes the headache of managing user state migrations. By automating backups and offering seamless restores during Windows 11 setup, IT teams spend less time on manual migrations and more time on value-added projects. As Windows 10 support ends, leveraging this solution ensures a smoother upgrade path and happier end users.