Applies to Windows 8, Windows RT

Should I sync settings between PCs?

One benefit of signing in to your PC with a Microsoft account is that you can sync info between any PCs you use that are also running Windows 8 or Windows RT. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your PC is connected to the cloud. This means that many of your personal settings and preferences are stored on Microsoft servers online, and then are synced to any PC that you sign in to. For example:

  • Your chosen colors, themes, language preferences, browser history and favorites, and Windows Store app settings are synced between PCs.

  • You can get to and share your photos, documents, and other files from Microsoft SkyDrive, Facebook, Flickr, and other services without signing in to each one.

Choose which settings to sync

If you want to keep some of your personal settings more private, you can turn off syncing for specific settings, or turn off syncing entirely.

Sync your settings page in PC settingsSync your settings page in PC settings

If you're having problems syncing your settings, you can try running the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter. It's an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems. It's only available in English, but will work in all languages.

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To choose which settings to sync

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click Sync your settings.

  3. Under Settings to sync, turn off the settings you no longer want to sync.

To stop syncing all settings

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click Sync your settings.

  3. Under Sync your settings, turn off Sync settings on this PC.

Note

Note

  • When you turn off syncing between PCs running Windows 8 and Windows RT, some of your system and app settings will remain stored in the cloud. If you want to remove them, you must do so separately. To learn how, go to Delete your personal settings from the cloud and sign in to your account.