Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10  

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    Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10

    Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10

    How to Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Backup & Restore
    12 Feb 2022
    Designer Media Ltd

    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.
    Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10-backup_set.png


    EXAMPLE: Default Windows Backup
    Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10-default_windows_backup.png



    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






  1. Posts : 5
    Window 10 Home
       #1

    Thank you for sharing this. It saved me a lot of trouble as I switch to the Macrium Reflect product for backups.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    You're most welcome ikomrad, and welcome to Ten Forums.
      My Computers


  3. Zao
    Posts : 3
    10
       #3

    Hi.
    I’m new in this site.
    I don’t know if is this the correct place for my question.
    I need a help please:
    I have restore my laptop windows 10,without creating any backup before.

    Is possible to recovery any file from doc or pics?????
    Thnx to everyone.!!!!!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #4

    Made an account just to thank you! You are a lifesaver!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    nikooof said:
    Made an account just to thank you! You are a lifesaver!

    I'm glad it could help nikooof, and welcome to Ten Forums.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 2
    xp, 7, 10
       #6

    Hi!

    Why not just delete the entire Key "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup"?

    When I've had trouble with Windows Backup and just wanted to start completely fresh, this is what I've done (several times, on several different machines, both Win7 and Win10) . After blowing away the Key, I delete the Scheduled Tasks and delete (or rename) the old backups on the destination drive. Following a reboot, I reconfigure Windows Backup as if for the first time. Thus far this has always seemed to work perfectly, although I don't recall ever having to actually recover anything substantial following this procedure.

    So I am curious, is there a flaw in my approach?

    Thanks so much for any insight!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    WinXUser said:
    Hi!

    Why not just delete the entire Key "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup"?

    When I've had trouble with Windows Backup and just wanted to start completely fresh, this is what I've done (several times, on several different machines, both Win7 and Win10) . After blowing away the Key, I delete the Scheduled Tasks and delete (or rename) the old backups on the destination drive. Following a reboot, I reconfigure Windows Backup as if for the first time. Thus far this has always seemed to work perfectly, although I don't recall ever having to actually recover anything substantial following this procedure.

    So I am curious, is there a flaw in my approach?

    Thanks so much for any insight!
    Hello WInXUser, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    I finally got a chance to test this, and I don't see any reason to not just delete the WindowsBackup key.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 6
    DOS 6.32
       #8

    Hello, I have Win 10 and Win Backup configured but I don't have the key
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup
    I also searched for all other keys named WindowsBackup. There are none.
    I don't even have "SystemImageBackup" which should be a subkey of WindowsBackup (minding any new version that might have changed the parent key).
    Any other way to clear this configuration?

    As for WinXUser question... The command
    Reg Delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup /F
    does that. Deletes the entire key.
    The other two commands delete automated tasks if the backup was scheduled.
    Last edited by Ktulu789; 01 Jun 2020 at 10:20.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Ktulu789 said:
    Hello, I have Win 10 and Win Backup configured but I don't have the key
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup
    I also searched for all other keys named WindowsBackup. There are none.
    I don't even have "SystemImageBackup" which should be a subkey of WindowsBackup (minding any new version that might have changed the parent key).
    Any other way to clear this configuration?

    As for WinXUser question... The command
    Reg Delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup /F
    does that. Deletes the entire key.
    The other two commands delete automated tasks if the backup was scheduled.
    Hello ktulu789, and Welcome to Ten Forums.

    The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup key stores all the Windows Backup settings if set up.

    If the key is not there, then it may have already been deleted to reset Windows Backup. The key will automatically get recreated the next time Windows Backup is set up again.
      My Computers


 

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