How to enable or disable Sync Apps and Preferences for Microsoft Accounts in Windows 11

What Windows Syncs

When you log into Windows with your Microsoft account, the operating system remembers important things about your setup, such as app settings and theme preferences. This syncing feature, called "Sync settings," makes your experience smoother when you get a new computer or reinstall Windows.

Remember My Apps

The 'Remember My Apps' setting in Windows 11 keeps a list of apps you download from the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft Store app syncing only works for apps obtained from the Microsoft Store. It does not remember applications you installed from other websites, meaning those apps will not sync across devices.

Remember My Preferences

The Remember My Preferences feature in Windows sync settings saves your personal choices like saved passwords, language preferences, and accessibility options so they match across all your Windows devices. When you sign in with your Microsoft account, these synced details update automatically on every computer you use.

• Passwords: Your saved passwords for websites and apps.
• Language Settings: Your preferred language, keyboard layouts, and regional settings.
• Accessibility Settings: Things like text size, high contrast modes, or narrator settings.
• Other Windows Settings: This can include device settings (like printer setups or mouse speed), File Explorer choices (like how folders look), and your notification settings.

Basically, it tries to make your new or reset computer feel like your old one, so you don't have to set everything up again.

How to Manage Sync Settings Using the Registry Editor

You can manage windows sync settings by using the Registry Editor to change how your Microsoft account handles personal data across devices. Registry editing carries risks because mistakes can make your computer unstable, so always back up your registry before you start.

Registry editing carries risks. Incorrectly editing the Windows registry can make Windows unstable or prevent Windows from starting. Back up your registry before making changes. You should only use this registry editing method if you are an administrator and understand the risks of editing the registry.

Step 1Open the Registry Editor

You need to open the tool that lets you change registry settings.

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This opens the Run box.
2. Type regedit into the box and press Enter, or click OK.
3. Windows may ask for permission. Click Yes to continue. (Requires Administrator Privileges)

Step 2Go to the Right Registry Location

Finding the correct registry key for windows sync settings requires opening Registry Editor and going to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Experience. You can paste this exact path into the address bar at the top of the window to get there quickly.

1. In the Registry Editor window, look at the left side. You'll need to click through folders (called keys) until you reach this path. You can also copy and paste this path into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Experience
2. Click on the Experience folder to select it.

Step 3Find or Create the 'AllowSyncMySettings' Value

Controlling windows sync settings in the registry requires finding the AllowSyncMySettings value on the right side of the screen. If this value does not exist in your Experience folder, you must create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it exactly that.

• If 'AllowSyncMySettings' is already there: Double-click it to change its value.
• If 'AllowSyncMySettings' is NOT there: You need to create it.
  1. Right-click on an empty spot on the right side.
  2. Choose New, then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  3. Name the new item exactly AllowSyncMySettings and press Enter.
  4. Double-click the new AllowSyncMySettings value you just made.

Step 4Set the Value

Changing windows sync settings in the registry works by setting the AllowSyncMySettings value data to 1 to turn syncing on, or to 0 to turn syncing off. You must set the base to Hexadecimal before you save your change so Windows reads the number correctly.

• To Allow Sync Apps and Preferences: In the "Value data" box, type 1. Make sure "Base" is set to Hexadecimal. Click OK.
• To Stop Sync Apps and Preferences: In the "Value data" box, type 0. Make sure "Base" is set to Hexadecimal. Click OK.

What the numbers mean: In the registry, 1 usually means "On" or "Allowed," and 0 means "Off" or "Not Allowed."

Step 5Close Registry Editor and Restart

You can now close the Registry Editor. To make the changes work, you must restart your computer. After it restarts, your new sync settings will be active.

References:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows/Experience/Backup-Recovery/windows-backup-settings-catalog

Summary

You can enable or disable sync apps and preferences in Windows 11 by changing the 'AllowSyncMySettings' value in the Registry Editor to 1 or 0, respectively, and then restarting your computer.