In a move that has stirred controversy among Windows users, Microsoft has declared that the Windows Backup app, a fixture in Windows 10 and Windows 11, is here to stay. According to Microsoft, it is considered a “system component” and cannot be uninstalled, leaving users with no choice but to accept its presence on their systems.
Starting from August 22, 2023, users who didn’t already have the app installed began to witness its automatic installation. This has sparked concerns, as the app’s utility remains inaccessible to certain users, particularly those without a Microsoft account, Azure Active Directory (AAD), or Active Directory (AD) credentials.
The Windows Backup app is designed to manage critical data, such as specific files, folders, settings, credentials, and applications, all of which are stored in the cloud. This cloud-based approach ensures that a device can be effortlessly restored with just an internet connection.
However, some view Microsoft’s move with skepticism, interpreting it as an attempt to promote yet another one of its products. Users predict that using Windows Backup will eventually necessitate expanding their cloud storage, which would entail additional costs paid to Microsoft.
In response to the backlash, Microsoft clarifies that “because Windows Backup is a system component, it cannot be removed.” Nevertheless, Microsoft plans to release an update that will prevent the app from appearing on specific user interfaces, specifically for the Pro, Education, and Enterprise versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 that are integrated with AAD and AD.
For the time being, even devices incompatible with the app are still being subjected to the automatic installation of Windows Backup, leaving many Windows users divided on this issue.
