Syncing Settings between Computers

by Eric Wyatt
(last updated September 24, 2018)

1

As discussed in the tip titled Logging In with Local vs. Microsoft Credentials, you can login to your Windows 10 PC using either local credentials or Microsoft credentials. If you login with the latter, you are afforded some benefits like syncing certain things among your Windows 10 devices. To sync your settings, press the Windows key and type (without the quotes) "Settings", then press Enter. The main Settings page appears. Click the Accounts category. The following figure is the left-hand side of the next window that appears: (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Settings options (left-hand side of window).

From here you can click the "Sync your settings" option, which will bring up the following options: (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. The Sync Your Settings options.

With Windows 10 devices, the settings available for syncing include the following settings groups:

  • Theme. This includes the desktop background, accent color, user tile, taskbar position, accent color, sound scheme, screen saver, and more.
  • Internet Explorer Settings. Items such as browsing history, typed URLs, favorites, and more.
  • Edge Browser settings. Various browser items carry over as well, such as Edge favorites, reading list, and more.
  • Passwords. These are passwords for items such as Windows Credential Manager, wi-fi profiles, Website passwords, and more.
  • Language Preferences. Your spelling dictionary, and language settings all carry over.
  • Ease of Access. Settings such as narrator settings, on-screen keyboard magnifier, and more.
  • Other Windows Settings. You can get additional details about sync settings by visiting https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/active-directory-windows-enterprise-state-roaming-windows-settings-reference#windows-settings-details to see additional items that can be synched between Windows.

It's still a far cry from having Windows 10 clones, but the move seems to be in that direction. With your Windows 10 devices setup to sync, you will feel at home no matter which device you use.

 This tip (13563) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

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What is nine minus 6?

2018-09-24 07:14:34

Ashley

Very useful. Thank you.

By the way, a small point, but I always press and hold the Windows key and then press "i" (without quotes) to bring up the main Settings window.

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