{
  "id": 11227232,
  "title": "Microsoft makes Windows settings backup the default in 26H2",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/microsoft-makes-windows-settings-backup-the-default-in-26h2-11227232",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-01T15:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register",
    "slug": "the-register",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/os-platforms/2026/10/01/microsoft-makes-windows-settings-backup-the-default-in-26h2/5300552"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Windows 11 26H2 has been released, and Microsoft has enabled the Windows settings backup feature by default. This change may require administrators to opt out in regions where data cannot be sent to the cloud, such as the EU Digital Markets Act and sovereign and restricted environments. The backup functionality backs up devices' settings and a list of installed Microsoft Store apps, intending to facilitate the transition to a cloud-first approach for managing devices and user settings. However, many organizations may be concerned about the default-on setting since it only backs up settings and a list of Windows apps, not actual data.",
  "summary": "Annual update installed. You're up to date, so nothing seems to have changed. Wait a minute...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "Windows 11's 26H2 update could trigger the rollout of delayed features",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/windows-11s-26h2-update-could-trigger-the-rollout-of-delayed-features",
        "published": "2026-09-30T10:52:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Guide",
        "title": "I just tested Windows 11 26H2 — here’s how to update now and why Microsoft finally fixed the two worst things about Windows 11",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/i-just-tested-windows-11-26h2-heres-how-to-update-now-and-why",
        "published": "2026-09-30T10:57:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "XDA Developers",
        "title": "I replaced Microsoft’s default Windows apps with open-source alternatives and never looked back",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/i-replaced-microsofts-default-windows-apps-with-open-source",
        "published": "2026-10-01T00:00:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Register Science",
        "title": "Microsoft makes Windows settings backup the default in 26H2",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/microsoft-makes-windows-settings-backup-the-default-in-26h2",
        "published": "2026-10-01T15:31:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}