check before: 2026-03-01
Product:
Microsoft 365 suite, OneDrive, SharePoint
Platform:
Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft 365 Backup now supports granular restore, allowing admins to browse, search, and restore individual files or folders from SharePoint and OneDrive restore points. This feature, launching early in March 2026, reduces recovery time and is available to tenants with Microsoft 365 Backup enabled.
Details:
Updated March 27, 2026: We have updated the timeline to reflect that this feature has launched early. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
Microsoft is introducing granular restore capabilities in Microsoft 365 Backup, allowing administrators to browse, search, and restore individual files or folders from restore points for protected SharePoint sites and OneDrive accounts. This update helps organizations reduce recovery time and operational impact by restoring only the content that is needed.
Screenshot: Select the granular restore path when restoring content from a SharePoint site or OneDrive account
This message is associated with Roadmap ID 464991.
[When this will happen:]
Public Preview (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in early March 2026 and expect to complete by mid-March 2026.
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late March 2026 (previously late April) and expect to complete late March 2026 (previously early May).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Preview
Created:
2026-03-17
updated:
2026-03-28
Public Preview Start Date
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Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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linked item details
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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
Granular Restore Implementation
Without proper preparation, admins may struggle to effectively utilize the new granular restore feature, leading to inefficient recovery processes.
- roles: SharePoint Backup Administrator, IT Admin
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/backup/backup-restore-data?view=o365-worldwide&tabs=onedrive#option-2-selected-content-only-preview
User Data Recovery Delays
If admins are unprepared for the new restore capabilities, users may experience delays in data recovery, impacting their productivity.
- roles: End User, Helpdesk Support
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=464991
Compliance and Audit Challenges
Failure to update internal recovery procedures may lead to compliance issues, as the new granular restore capabilities require different audit considerations.
- roles: Compliance Officer, IT Admin
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/backup/backup-restore-data?view=o365-worldwide&tabs=onedrive#option-2-selected-content-only-preview
Increased Support Tickets
Unfamiliarity with the new restore process may result in an increase in support tickets from users needing assistance with data recovery.
- roles: Helpdesk Support, IT Admin
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=464991
Operational Impact on IT Teams
Without preparation, IT teams may face operational disruptions as they adapt to the new granular restore process, affecting overall service delivery.
- roles: IT Admin, Operations Manager
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/backup/backup-restore-data?view=o365-worldwide&tabs=onedrive#option-2-selected-content-only-preview
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
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Potentional Risks**
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Data Protection**
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IT Security**
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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**
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DPIA Draft**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-03-28 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, Admin impact |
| 2026-03-28 | MC Summary | Microsoft 365 Backup will enable admins to browse, search, and restore individual files or folders from SharePoint and OneDrive restore points starting early 2026. This granular restore reduces recovery time, requires the SharePoint Backup Administrator role, and respects existing backup policies without impacting users. | Microsoft 365 Backup now supports granular restore, allowing admins to browse, search, and restore individual files or folders from SharePoint and OneDrive restore points. This feature, launching early in March 2026, reduces recovery time and is available to tenants with Microsoft 365 Backup enabled. |
| 2026-03-28 | MC Last Updated | 03/06/2026 00:34:20 | 2026-03-27T21:45:39Z |
| 2026-03-28 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
Microsoft is introducing granular restore capabilities in Microsoft 365 Backup, allowing administrators to browse, search, and restore individual files or folders from restore points for protected SharePoint sites and OneDrive accounts. This update helps organizations reduce recovery time and operational impact by restoring only the content that is needed. Screenshot: Select the granular restore path when restoring content from a SharePoint site or OneDrive account This message is associated with Roadmap ID 464991. [When this will happen:] Public Preview (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in early March 2026 and expect to complete by mid-March 2026. General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late April 2026 and expect to complete by early May 2026. | Updated March 27, 2026: We have updated the timeline to reflect that this feature has launched early. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] Microsoft is introducing granular restore capabilities in Microsoft 365 Backup, allowing administrators to browse, search, and restore individual files or folders from restore points for protected SharePoint sites and OneDrive accounts. This update helps organizations reduce recovery time and operational impact by restoring only the content that is needed. Screenshot: Select the granular restore path when restoring content from a SharePoint site or OneDrive account This message is associated with Roadmap ID 464991. [When this will happen:] Public Preview (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in early March 2026 and expect to complete by mid-March 2026. General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late March 2026 (previously late April) and expect to complete late March 2026 (previously early May). |
| 2026-03-28 | MC Title | Targeted file and folder restores in Microsoft 365 Backup | (Updated) Targeted file and folder restores in Microsoft 365 Backup |
| 2026-03-28 | MC End Time | 06/08/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-04-30T09:00:00Z |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
