MC1458268 – M365 Change Digest

One-line summary

PowerShell scripts are now available for IT admins to manage Windows settings backup data and profiles, supporting governance, export, and deletion scenarios with compliance considerations.

Details

Body (from Message Center)

What and why:

You can now use PowerShell scripts to manage Windows settings backup data and profiles. View and export backup data and device profiles or delete a user’s backup data for governance, retention, and support scenarios. Note: Deleting a user’s backup data is permanent and irreversible. The scripts provide a simpler alternative to working directly with Microsoft Graph beta APIs.

The scripts are intended for authorized IT, helpdesk, security, and compliance administrators. Appropriate Microsoft 365 administrator permissions and admin consent are required.

Rollout schedule:

The scripts are already available on GitHub and the PowerShell Gallery.

Impact on your organization:

Windows settings backup and restore (formerly known as Windows Backup for Organizations) is an enterprise-grade feature designed to streamline device transitions by securely deleting backup data or profiles or preserving user settings and Microsoft Store app configurations. The scripts provide a simpler alternative to working directly with Microsoft Graph beta APIs.

Action required/recommendations:

Before using the scripts, review your organization’s backup governance, retention, export, and deletion procedures. Access the scripts on GitHub or using the PowerShell Gallery.

Compliance considerations:

The scripts can export and delete organizational backup information. Before using them, review administrator permissions, consent, data handling, retention, deletion, audit, and least-privilege requirements as appropriate for your organization.

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{
  "snapshot_item": {
    "action_required_by": null,
    "ai_action_required_by": null,
    "ai_actions": [
      "Review backup governance, retention, export, and deletion procedures",
      "Access scripts on GitHub or PowerShell Gallery",
      "Review admin permissions, consent, and compliance requirements"
    ],
    "ai_master_tags": [
      "Admin",
      "Compliance"
    ],
    "ai_model": "gpt-4.1",
    "ai_summary": "PowerShell scripts are now available for IT admins to manage Windows settings backup data and profiles, supporting governance, export, and deletion scenarios with compliance considerations.",
    "ai_topics": [
      "Windows",
      "Powershell"
    ],
    "category": "stayInformed",
    "details_map": {},
    "id": "MC1458268",
    "importance": 1,
    "is_major_change": false,
    "last_modified": "2026-08-20T17:01:39Z",
    "ms_products": [
      "Windows"
    ],
    "platforms": null,
    "roadmap_ids": [],
    "services": [
      "Windows"
    ],
    "severity": "normal",
    "tags": [
      "Admin impact"
    ],
    "title": "New PowerShell scripts to manage Windows settings backup data"
  }
}