How to Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10
The Backup and Restore (Windows 7) feature (aka: Windows Backup) was originally included in Windows 7. It was deprecated in Windows 8 and removed in in Windows 8.1, but has been included in Windows 10.
While you can use Backup and Restore (Windows 7) to restore any Windows 7 backups on your Windows 10 PC, you can also use it to back up and restore files on your Windows 10 PC.
Windows Backup will backup all files in the libraries, folders, and drives you choose or let Windows choose. You will have a choice to include a system image in the backup. You can also choose to have these items be backed up on a regular schedule.
If after you set up Windows Backup, you could reset Windows Backup completely back to default if wanted.
This tutorial will show you to completely reset Windows Backup back to default in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to reset Windows Backup.
Resetting Windows Backup to default will only reset the settings back to default, and will not delete any previously backed up files. If you wanted to delete any created backups, you will need to manually delete them.
Backups are created in sets also known as backup periods.
When a backup is created the first time after you set up Windows Backup, Windows will create a full backup of all files in the folders you selected into the drive:\computer name\Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS\Backup Files YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder location. The Backup Files YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder contains Backup files #.zip folders that are your actual backed up files for that date and time period.
When you create a differential backup, it will create a new full backup saved into a new Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder.
When you create an incremental backup, it will create a backup all of the files that have changed since the last backup, and saved in a new Backup Files YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder in the current Backup Set YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS folder.
EXAMPLE: Default Windows Backup
Here's How:
1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below.
Reset_Windows_Backup.bat
Download
Contents of .bat file for reference:
Code:Reg Delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup /F Reg Add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup schtasks /delete /tn "Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup\AutomaticBackup" /F schtasks /delete /tn "Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup\Windows Backup Monitor" /F
2 Save the .bat file to your desktop.
3 Unblock the .bat file.
4 Right click or press and hold on the .bat file, and click/tap on Run as administrator.
5 Click/tap on Yes in the UAC prompt to approve run as administrator.
6 You will notice an elevated command prompt quickly open and close as it runs the commands in the .bat file to reset Windows Backup to default.
7 You can now delete the .bat file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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