Windows 10: Microsoft pushes Backup App to Windows 10 Enterprise devices and Admins are not happy

The September 2023 security updates for Windows 10 included the Windows Backup app. Read on to find out why Enterprise admins are furious.

Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system is still the most used version of Windows, even though Microsoft is fully focusing development on Windows 11 and the version of Windows that comes after that.

Microsoft announced that it would stop releasing major feature updates for Windows 10, but that it would push some features to the operating system in smaller updates. Most administrators assumed that this would make administration a tad easier, but this is apparently not the case.

Microsoft revealed in August that its newly created backup app would also be released for Windows 10. The term backup is used loosely, as it is not a full backup app. It supports backing up some preset folders and settings to Microsoft OneDrive, but lacks options to back up partitions and drives, password protect backups, or even select a folder for backup.

Backup app for Windows 10




The release of the security updates for Windows 10 version 21H2 and 22H2 in September 2023 seem to include the backup app. Windows Home users are used to Microsoft making changes to the system, which includes adding or removing apps at will.

Enterprise administrators on the other hand want control of the systems. Microsoft did not mention the backup app in the release notes. The company states that the "update addresses security issues for your Windows operating system". Windows 10 version 21H2, addressed one additional authentication issue.

While the backup app was not mentioned by Microsoft, it was still pushed to Enterprise devices and Home user devices. Confirmation comes from a wide range of sources, e.g., Reddit or Born City.

The main problem that administrators face is that there does not appear to be an easy option to block the application from being installed and that there is no direct way to uninstall it from user systems.

Reddit user Esky013 notes that the app appeared in the Start Menu, but that it can't be run. Attempts to run it throw the "This feature is not supported by your organisation" error.

Further analysis by the user suggests that the app is part of the Windows Feature Experience Pack, which makes it difficult to deal with. Esky013 writes: "There isn't anything in the usual %ProgramData% or %AppData% locations for Start Menu shortcuts, and it's not an appx package that I can remove".

There is also no policy to hide the Windows Backup shortcut and it appears that it can't be uninstalled like regular apps either. Removal of the Windows Feature Experience Pack "uninstalls the app from the system, but it will also remove other apps that are included in the pack.

Closing Words

The situation is frustrating, as administrators need to deal with the new situation, but don't really have the tools to do so. The release may have been an oversight on Microsoft's part, as it should not really have been rolled out to Enterprise and Education systems in first place, as the Windows Backup app supports personal Microsoft accounts only.

Now You: which backup program do you use?

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Microsoft Announces Windows 10 Operating System

Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday unveiled its next Windows operating system, Windows 10, and gave a first look at an early technical preview for the PC available Oct. 1. The announcement highlighted advancements designed for business, including an updated user experience and enhanced security and management capabilities. The company also introduced the Windows Insider Program, kicking off its largest-ever open collaborative development effort to change the way Windows is built and delivered to best meet the needs of customers. Program participants will receive the technical preview of Windows 10 and a steady stream of builds through the development cycle to use and give feedback on.

"Windows 10 represents the first step of a whole new generation of Windows, unlocking new experiences to give customers new ways to work, play and connect," said Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Operating Systems group at Microsoft. "This will be our most comprehensive operating system and the best release Microsoft has ever done for our business customers, and we look forward to working together with our broader Windows community to bring Windows 10 to life in the months ahead."





Windows 10: familiarity and consistency across devices
Windows 10 adapts to the devices customers are using - from Xbox to PCs and phones to tablets and tiny gadgets - and what they're doing with a consistent, familiar and compatible experience, enabling even greater productivity. Windows 10 will run across the broadest range of devices ever from the Internet of Things to enterprise datacenters worldwide. Microsoft is also delivering a converged application platform for developers on all devices with a unified app store. Developers will be able to write an application once and deploy it easily across multiple device types, making discovery, purchase and updating easier than ever for customers.

Windows 10: designed for the challenges of modern business
Windows 10 builds nearly everything that businesses need right into the core of the product - including enterprise-grade security, identity and information protection features - in ways that can reduce complexities and provide better experiences than other solutions. One area of advancement is in the work Microsoft has done with user identities to improve resistance to breach, theft or phishing. Windows 10 will also help advance data loss prevention by using containers and data separation at the application and file level, enabling protection that follows the data as it goes from a tablet or PC to a USB drive, email or the cloud.

Management and deployment have been simplified to help lower costs, including in-place upgrades from Windows 7 or Windows 8 that are focused on making device wipe-and-reload scenarios obsolete. Businesses will also have the flexibility to choose how quickly they adopt the latest innovations and influence continued improvements. In addition, organizations will be able to customize an app store specific to their needs and environment. The intent is an app store that will allow for volume app licensing, flexible distribution, and the ability for organizations to reclaim or reuse licenses when necessary.

Technical preview PC productivity
The early technical preview of Windows 10 demonstrates new levels of flexibility, navigation and familiarity through the Windows experience. Features include these:

• Expanded Start menu. The familiar Start menu is back, providing quick one-click access to the functions and files that people use most, and it includes a new space to personalize with favorite apps, programs, people and websites.
• Apps that run in a window. Apps from the Windows Store now open in the same format that desktop programs do. They can be resized and moved around, and have title bars at the top allowing users to maximize, minimize and close with a click.
• Snap enhancements. Working in multiple apps at once is easier and more intuitive with snap improvements. A new quadrant layout allows up to four apps to be snapped on the same screen. Windows will also show other apps and programs running for additional snapping, and it will even make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open apps.
• New Task view button. The new Task view button on the task bar enables one view for all open apps and files, allowing for quick switching and one-touch access to any desktop created.
• Multiple desktops. Instead of too many apps and files overlapping on a single desktop, it's easy to create and switch between distinct desktops for different purposes and projects - whether for work or personal use.

Open and collaborative development
The introduction of the Windows Insider Program demonstrates Microsoft's continued commitment to working closely with customers to help shape the future of Windows. Windows Insiders will be able to give feedback on early builds of the product throughout the development cycle. The program will include various ways for Windows Insiders to engage in a two-way dialogue with Microsoft, including a Windows Feedback app for sharing suggestions and issues and a Windows Technical Preview Forum for interacting with Microsoft engineers and fellow Insiders. More information on the Windows Insider Program and the technical preview can be found here.

 

Microsoft Steps Up Windows 10 Push with New Redstone Features


Microsoft Steps Up Windows 10 Push with New Redstone Features
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Windows 10 Tweaks

As you may already know, Windows 10 (as well as Windows 8) allow you to log in with a valid Microsoft account, instead of creating a local account that only works on your machine. However, you may prefer to keep a local account for privacy reasons. If you do, though, some Windows 10 features—like Cortana—may not work. Despite the default behavior, the Windows 10 Store is not one of them. You can still log in to your Microsoft account for just the Store without switching to a full Microsoft account. The process, however, is not terribly obvious. To do so, follow these steps:

• Launch the Store from your Start menu.
• Click the user icon next to the search box.
• Click “Sign-in” from the menu that appears.
• Choose “Microsoft account” and log in like normal.
• When the “Make it yours” box appears do not enter your password. Instead, click “Sign in to just this app instead.”

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