Microsoft releases Windows 11 Backup App with macOS Time Machine leanings

Microsoft has announced an equivalent to Time Machine, which Apple has offered with macOS since 2007. Revealed in a Windows Insider Blog post as part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23466 release. Unlike the current system restore program, the Windows 11 Backup App is designed to create a holistic backup all relevant user data.

Hence, the new app will capture installed apps, documents, photos, files, passwords and settings. Microsoft adds that the app will also include Start Menu and Taskbar configurations to offer a seamless experience. However, Microsoft provides some flexibility as to what files it will back up. Specifically, the Windows 11 Backup App will exclude files or settings from the backup process upon request.

Please note that Microsoft only offers cloud storage backups for now, with no local save option available. With the company only providing 5 GB of free OneDrive storage, the Windows 11 Backup App serves as another vehicle for its paid subscription service. The current version cannot automatically re-install apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, either. Please see Microsoft's blog post for more details. 

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