The Windows 11 Restore Summary answers the question every new-PC setup raises: did my backup actually bring everything over? It’s a new screen that lists the settings and Microsoft Store apps Windows restored from your backup, and it arrived in the optional KB5127936 update. The catch is that Microsoft documents it for work and school PCs, so your home laptop may not show it yet.
Here’s the short version before the details:
- Update: KB5127936, an optional preview released in late October 2026 for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2.
- What it shows: restored settings grouped by area, plus the Microsoft Store app list.
- Where it lives: a notification after the restore, and Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.
- Time limit: it disappears seven days after device setup.
- Catch: Microsoft documents it for work and school accounts, and IT has to enable the restore policy.
If you only wanted to know whether it exists and whether you’ll see it, that’s the answer. The rest of this post covers how it behaves and what it leaves out.
What the Windows 11 Restore Summary lists after a restore
Until now, restoring a Windows backup onto a new PC was a leap of faith. You signed in, things appeared, and you only noticed what was missing days later when a setting felt wrong.
The summary fixes that by showing the result. According to Microsoft’s message center post MC1535666, it covers a summary of the restored personalization settings and the Microsoft Store app list. Microsoft says the goal is clearer visibility so people can get productive faster on a new device.
Settings are grouped by area, such as multiple displays, multitasking and Night Light, according to Windows Mode. Each group has an “Open in settings” link, so you can jump straight to the page and fix anything that looks off. There’s also an Export button if you want to save the report.
One quirk: some settings still at their default values can appear in the list too. Microsoft describes that as by design, so don’t read it as a bug.
Where to find it, and why you have seven days
You don’t have to hunt for it right away. Windows Mode reports that a notification appears about an hour after a successful restore, with a View option.
If you dismiss the notification, you can get back to the summary manually:
- Open Settings and go to Accounts.
- Select Windows backup.
- Click the link icon next to Restore summary.
Those steps only work for a limited time, because the summary is available for seven days after device setup and then it’s gone. If you care about the list, export it during the first week. Otherwise you’re back to guessing what didn’t make the trip.
Work PC or home PC: who actually gets it
This is where the feature gets murky. Microsoft’s own documentation frames it around organizations that move people to new devices, and the reports agree on how restore works there.
Per Gaming-ST’s breakdown, setup involves signing in with Microsoft Entra ID on an Entra-joined or hybrid-joined device, and the restore policy is off by default until an administrator enables it. Here’s how the situations line up:
| Your situation | Restore Summary | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Work or school PC with Entra ID | Documented | IT must enable the restore policy first |
| Home PC with a personal Microsoft account | Unclear | Microsoft hasn’t said whether it appears |
| 25H2 or 26H2 without KB5127936 | Not yet | Needs the update, and the rollout is gradual |
The rollout detail matters because the sources don’t fully agree. The message center post says the feature is generally available with the October non-security update, while Windows Mode describes a gradual rollout that may take a while to reach your PC.
The update itself is optional, so it won’t install on its own schedule. Our guide to getting Windows 11 26H2 covers how to move to the newest version if you’re still on an older build.
What the summary can’t tell you
A list of what was restored isn’t a list of what’s missing. If an app or setting never made it into the backup, the summary won’t flag its absence, so you still need your own mental checklist.
Game data is the clearest gap. Gaming-ST notes that it doesn’t back up or restore game saves or Steam game files, so those need their own plan.
It also pairs with the other recovery changes in this update rather than replacing them. If a PC won’t boot at all, the cloud rebuild option and the WinRE Wi-Fi profile reuse are the tools that matter, and the Restore Summary only helps once you’re back at the desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Windows 11 Restore Summary?
It’s a screen that shows which personalization settings and Microsoft Store apps were restored from a backup after you set up a new device. You can export it as a report.
Which update adds the Restore Summary?
KB5127936, an optional preview update for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2, according to BleepingComputer. The same update also adds the cloud rebuild and WinRE Wi-Fi changes.
How long can I see the Restore Summary?
For seven days after device setup. After that it’s no longer available, so export it early if you want a record.
Does it work with a personal Microsoft account?
Microsoft hasn’t confirmed that. The documentation focuses on work and school PCs using Entra ID, so home users should treat it as unproven for now.
Worth caring about before your next PC swap?
If you manage a fleet of work laptops, yes, and you should tell your help desk before users start asking what the new notification means. If you’re a home user planning to restore onto a new PC, don’t count on seeing it, and spend ten minutes beforehand writing down the apps and settings you can’t live without. The summary is a nice receipt when it shows up, but a receipt is no substitute for a checklist.
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