When upgrading to a new PC, backing up, migrating and setting up your apps and data takes some effort. Thankfully, Microsoft is making this process simpler with Restore Apps for Windows 11.
At Microsoft Build, the company announced that it is preserving settings from the old PC to the new PC and migrating layouts and data. This means that if you have a specific app pinned to the taskbar, that app will be copied. Icons scattered across the desktop (hopefully not many!) are also migrated.
It seems optional given that you can turn off app restore if you want to start fresh with a clean setup. However, if you choose to take advantage of it, you will need to sign up for a Microsoft account to get the most out of it. You can set up Windows 11 with a local account, but for those who give their company a Microsoft account, the company retains its best features. (Microsoft recently decided to limit conversations in Bing Chat to a few interactions, for example.
Otherwise, the process of moving data from one PC to another remains the same. Microsoft will restore your documents, photos, files and apps, assuming they are all backed up to the OneDrive cloud. It also uploads and backs up all apps stored on your PC desktop by default, but this feature can be turned off. The company’s demo video showed users clicking on the taskbar and downloading and installing the app as part of the process.
Microsoft
Microsoft says Restore Apps is in preview and will be released to Windows Insiders today. They did not immediately disclose what insider build restore apps would be available or on which channels they would be introduced. Signing up for the Windows Insider Program is easy, but the program offers beta code that is not always available to the public. overall.