The latest addition to Windows 10 allows it to save your installed app list to your Microsoft Account before you upgrade to Windows 11. After installing the latter, you will be able to restore them with a couple of clicks.
This novelty was introduced in today's KB5009596 for Windows 10, version 20H2, 21H1, and 21H2. Among fixes and improvements, you'll find a new feature:
Adds a new feature called Sync Your Settings for users who are migrating to Windows 11, original release. You’ll use Sync Your Settings to automatically back up a list of your applications to your Microsoft Account. Then, you can quickly restore those application on a Windows 11, original release device.
The new feature keeps the list the of installed applications in Windows 10 in your Microsoft account (MSA). After you upgrading to Windows 11, those apps can be quickly restored.
Microsoft is gradually rolling out this feature in coming weeks. Perhaps it will only apply to Microsoft Store apps.
To restore the apps, Windows 11 shows a new OOBE screen. See the following screenshot.
However, its not clear how to restore the list of apps. We assume that Windows 11 will show a desktop notification to restore the apps. Also, to would be great to see this capability extended to winget in order to get specific desktop apps automatically reinstalled after getting Windows 11.
Support us
Winaero greatly relies on your support. You can help the site keep bringing you interesting and useful content and software by using these options: