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    Move to a New PC With the Windows Backup App

    Windows 11 includes a built-in Backup app that copies your files, apps list, and settings so setting up a new computer is much easier.

    3 min read · 4 steps · Checked July 2026

    1. Step 1. Open the Windows Backup app

      Click the Start button, type "Windows Backup," and open the app that appears. You must be signed in to Windows with a Microsoft account (not just a local account) for this to work.

    2. Step 2. Choose what to back up

      The app shows toggles for Folders (documents, pictures, desktop, etc.), Apps, Preferences, and Credentials. Turn on the categories you want saved — most people should keep Folders and Apps turned on.

      Quick Tip

      Quick Tip: Check your OneDrive storage first at account.microsoft.com/storage so you know you have enough room.

    3. Step 3. Start the backup and let it sync

      Click "Back up." Your files will begin uploading to OneDrive in the background — this can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

    4. Step 4. Restore on your new PC

      During the setup process on your new Windows 11 computer, sign in with the same Microsoft account. Windows will detect your backup and offer to restore your files, settings, and app list automatically.

    Setting up a new Windows computer used to mean manually copying files and reinstalling every program one at a time. The Windows Backup app, built into Windows 11, makes this much easier by saving your files, a list of your installed apps, and many of your settings to your Microsoft account (using OneDrive). So you can bring them over to a new PC automatically during setup.

    Windows Backup saves your desktop, documents, pictures, and other personal folders to OneDrive, remembers your Wi-Fi network settings, and keeps a list of apps you had installed so Windows can offer to reinstall them for you on the new computer (from the Microsoft Store or, where available, other sources). It does not duplicate everything on your old hard drive. It focuses on your personal files and setup preferences rather than creating a full copy of the entire hard drive.

    Because backed-up files go to OneDrive, you'll want to check how much free OneDrive storage you have before starting, since a free Microsoft account includes a limited amount (5 GB as of this writing) and larger backups may require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription for more storage. Source: support.microsoft.com/windows (Back up your Windows PC).

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