Windows · Accounts & Family
Roam preferences across your Windows devices
Sync your settings uses your Microsoft account to roam preferences such as theme, language, passwords, and other Windows settings across every PC you sign into.
How to open Sync Your Settings
- Open Settings → Accounts → Windows backup (or Sync your settings on older builds)
- Confirm you're signed in with a Microsoft account
- Toggle on the categories you want to sync
- Repeat sign-in and toggle steps on your other Windows PCs
What you should know
- Toggle individual sync categories: Theme, Passwords, Language preferences, Other Windows settings
- Requires being signed in with a Microsoft account rather than a local account
- Syncs automatically in the background whenever connected to the internet
- Works independently from Windows Backup, which syncs files and apps rather than preferences
Why it matters
For anyone who regularly switches between a desktop, laptop, and a secondary Windows PC, sync settings removes the tedium of manually reconfiguring the same preferences on every device. It is especially useful for passwords saved in Microsoft Edge and for keeping a consistent visual theme without extra setup. Because it is a lighter-weight sync than a full backup, it applies changes quickly across devices. Understanding the distinction between this and Windows Backup helps avoid confusion about why some things (settings) show up automatically while others (files) require a separate backup step.
Best practices
- Turn off syncing for categories you intentionally want to differ between devices, like a different theme on a work PC.
- Make sure you're signed in with the same Microsoft account on every device you want to sync.
- Pair with Windows Backup for a complete picture: settings sync here, files and apps sync there.
- Check this page first if a changed setting isn't appearing on your other PC.
Common problems and fixes
- A setting changed on one PC isn't appearing on another.
- Confirm both devices are signed in with the same Microsoft account and connected to the internet, then allow a few minutes for sync to complete.
- Sync toggles are greyed out.
- This happens when signed in with a local account; switch to a Microsoft account to enable sync.
- Saved passwords aren't syncing to Edge on another device.
- Check that both 'Passwords' sync here and Edge's own sync toggle are both enabled.
Tips and tricks
- If you just reset your PC, sign in with your Microsoft account early so settings begin syncing before you start reconfiguring things manually.
Frequently asked questions
Does this sync my files too?
No, this only syncs settings and preferences; use Windows Backup or OneDrive for files.
Can I sync only some categories?
Yes, each category (Theme, Passwords, Language, Other Windows settings) has its own toggle.
Does this work with a local account?
No, sync requires a Microsoft account.
Related settings
- BackupWindows Backup uses OneDrive to continuously back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, along with your list of installed apps, saved Wi-Fi network passwords, and select personalization settings like your theme and wallpaper. It's designed to make restoring your setup on a new PC, or after a reset, far less painful than starting from scratch.
- Your InfoYour Info shows the account currently signed into this PC — your name, profile picture, and whether it's a local or Microsoft account — with quick links to manage your Microsoft account online.
- Sign-in OptionsSign-in Options controls every way you can sign into this PC — Windows Hello face and fingerprint recognition, PIN, security key, or password — and lets you require sign-in after sleep for extra security.
More Accounts & Family guides for Windows
- Family SafetyMicrosoft Family Safety lets you create a family group to manage screen time limits, content filters, spending, and location sharing for children's Windows, Xbox, and mobile devices from one place.
- Email & AccountsEmail & Accounts lists every account — Microsoft, work/school, or other — that your installed apps (Mail, Calendar, OneDrive, and third-party apps) are allowed to use to sync data. You can add new accounts here or remove ones apps no longer need.
- Other UsersOther Users lets you add separate sign-in accounts for other people who share this PC — family members, guests, or coworkers — each getting their own desktop, files, and settings, isolated from yours.
- Access Work or SchoolAccess Work or School lets you connect this PC to an organization's Azure AD / Microsoft Entra environment so you can access company or school email, apps, and resources, and so IT can apply required security policies.
- PasskeysPasskeys let you sign into supported websites and apps using Windows Hello (your face, fingerprint, or PIN) instead of typing a password — they're stored securely on this device and can't be phished or reused if a website is breached.
- Linked DevicesLinked Devices shows phones and other PCs connected to your Microsoft account, enabling features like continuing a browser tab from your phone on this PC, or seeing your phone's photos and notifications through the Link to Windows / Phone Link app.