How to enable or disable Sync Apps and Preferences for Microsoft Accounts in Windows 11
Syncing apps and preferences lets Windows save settings and app data across your Microsoft accounts on different computers.
This feature helps make setting up a new PC easier by automatically reinstalling your favorite apps and bringing over preferences like passwords, language settings, and mouse speed.
For example, Windows 11 can remember your theme colors and even your keyboard layout.
Managing sync settings for your Microsoft account is important for privacy and control, especially when you use multiple PCs. This control allows you to decide if Windows 11 settings and app data, like your desktop background and Microsoft Edge history, sync across all your devices.
You can turn the app and preference syncing feature on or off for all Microsoft accounts on your computer, allowing you to control data sharing across devices.
This guide shows you how to control whether specific settings automatically copy to other devices or if a new PC should start completely fresh.
Note that these settings only apply to personal Microsoft accounts, not work or school accounts, and require administrator rights to change.
To enable or disable syncing apps and preferences for Microsoft accounts, open Registry Editor, navigate to 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Experience, and modify or create the ‘AllowSyncMySettings’ DWORD value. Set it to 1 to enable, or 0 to disable.
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’ setting in Windows 11 saves various personal settings like passwords, language choices, and accessibility options across your devices.
- 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
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.
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This opens the Run box.
- Type
regeditinto the box and press Enter, or click OK. - Windows may ask for permission. Click Yes to continue. (Requires Administrator Privileges)
Step 2Go to the Right Registry Location
To manage sync settings in the Registry Editor, navigate to the specific registry location 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Experience.
- 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 - Click on the
Experiencefolder to select it.
Step 3Find or Create the ‘AllowSyncMySettings’ Value
In the Registry Editor, after reaching the correct folder, look for the ‘AllowSyncMySettings’ value on the right side, or create it if it’s missing by choosing New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- If ‘AllowSyncMySettings’ is already there: Double-click it to change its value.
- If ‘AllowSyncMySettings’ is NOT there: You need to create it.
- Right-click on an empty spot on the right side.
- Choose New, then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new item exactly
AllowSyncMySettingsand press Enter. - Double-click the new
AllowSyncMySettingsvalue you just made.
Step 4Set the Value
To control sync settings, set the 'AllowSyncMySettings' value in the Windows Registry to 1 to allow syncing apps and preferences, or set it to 0 to stop syncing. The Base must be Hexadecimal for this change.
- 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:
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.
What happens when you turn on sync Settings in 🪟 Windows 11?
Windows 11 “Remember my apps” and “Remember my preferences” use your personal Microsoft account to sync installed Store apps and system settings across multiple devices. The sync feature includes critical configuration data such as accessibility settings, language preferences, and saved Wi-Fi networks.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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