To disable user account sync in Windows 10 and 11, open Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableSettingSync, and set the value data to 2. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC for the change to take effect.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync - Right-click on empty space in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name the new value
DisableSettingSyncand press Enter - Double-click the value and set the value data to
2, then click OK - Close Registry Editor and restart your PC
What Does User Account Sync Actually Do?
When you sign into Windows with a Microsoft account, Windows automatically syncs a bunch of your settings across all your devices. This includes things like your theme, wallpaper, passwords, language preferences, accessibility settings, and even some app settings.
That sounds convenient on paper, but it’s not always what you want. If you’re on a shared device, a work computer, or you just prefer your settings to stay separate on each machine, having Windows syncing things in the background can be annoying. It’s also worth thinking about from a privacy standpoint, since your settings and preferences are being stored and synced through the cloud.
I’ve covered the broader downsides of using a Microsoft account in my post comparing Windows local accounts vs Microsoft accounts. Sync is one of the things that happens automatically when you sign in with a Microsoft account, and most people don’t even realize it’s happening.
Why Use the Registry to Disable Sync?
Windows does have a settings page for this under Settings > Accounts > Windows backup, where you can toggle sync off. But the registry method applies the change as a system policy, which is more permanent and more reliable.
The registry path we’re using is under the Policies section, which is where Windows stores group policy-type settings. Changes made here take priority over what’s set in the regular Settings app, and they’re less likely to be reversed by Windows updates.
How to Disable User Account Sync via Registry Editor
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes to continue.
Step 2: Navigate to the SettingSync Key
In Registry Editor, navigate to the following path. You can click through the folders on the left side or paste the path into the address bar at the top of the window:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync
If the SettingSync key doesn’t already exist, you need to create it. Right-click on the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name it SettingSync.
Step 3: Create the DisableSettingSync Value
Once you’re inside the SettingSync key, right-click on the empty white space in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it DisableSettingSync and press Enter.
Step 4: Set the Value Data
Double-click the DisableSettingSync entry you just created. Change the value data to 2 and click OK. Setting it to 2 disables the sync feature at the policy level, which prevents it from being toggled back on through the Settings app.
Step 5: Restart Your PC
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. After the reboot, account sync will be fully disabled. If you check Settings > Accounts > Windows backup, you’ll find that the sync options are now greyed out.
How to Re-Enable Account Sync
To turn sync back on, go back to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync in Registry Editor. Either delete the DisableSettingSync value entirely, or double-click it and change the value data back to 0. Restart your PC and sync will work again.
Want to Manage Windows Settings Without Editing the Registry?
If you find yourself making a lot of these kinds of tweaks to get Windows set up the way you like it, you might want to check out Winhance — a free, open-source Windows Enhancement Utility I built. It gives you a clean interface to apply privacy, performance, and system settings without needing to touch the registry yourself.
And if you want to tighten up your Windows privacy settings even further, I also have a guide on how to disable location services in Windows 10 and 11 using Registry Editor — it follows the same kind of process as what we did here.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: The SettingSync key doesn’t exist in the registry
Solution: You need to create it manually. Right-click the Windows folder at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, select New > Key, and name it SettingSync. Then continue with the steps above.
Problem: Sync settings are still available in the Settings app after making the change
Solution: Make sure you restarted your PC after editing the registry. The change won’t apply until after a reboot.
Problem: Registry Editor won’t open
Solution: This can happen if Registry Editor has been disabled by a group policy, which is common on work or school computers. Check with your system administrator if this is the case.
FAQ
Does disabling account sync affect my Microsoft account login?
No. You can still sign into Windows with your Microsoft account as normal. Disabling sync only stops Windows from pushing your settings to the cloud and pulling them from other devices. Your Microsoft account login and all other Microsoft services are not affected.
Will Windows updates turn sync back on after I disable it?
Because we’re applying this change through the Policies section of the registry rather than the Settings app, it behaves more like a group policy setting. This makes it more resistant to being overwritten by Windows updates compared to just toggling it off in Settings.
Does this method work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, the registry path and steps are the same for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. This guide applies to both versions.
What settings does Windows sync by default?
By default, Windows syncs your theme and wallpaper, saved passwords, language preferences, ease of access settings, and other Windows preferences across all devices signed in with the same Microsoft account. Some apps also hook into this to sync their own settings.
Can I disable only some sync settings instead of all of them?
Yes. Through the Settings app you can go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup > Remember my preferences and toggle individual sync categories on or off. The registry method we used here disables everything at once at the policy level, which is more thorough and permanent.
