Windows 11 26H2 Enables Backup Policy to Restore User Apps and Settings

Microsoft will change Windows 11 (26H2) to enable Windows settings backup by default on eligible devices when administrators have not explicitly configured the policy. The update is intended to improve system resilience and recovery of user settings and Microsoft Store app lists, but raises enterprise concerns around policy control, data synchronization, cloud exposure, privacy, and compliance; administrators are advised to review and explicitly set Group Policy/Intune/MDM settings and evaluate interactions with identity, conditional access, and endpoint security.