Do you own more than one Windows 10 device? If so, you can keep your settings the same on each device or make them distinct.
Either way, Windows 10 offers a way to keep your devices in sync if you wish. You can sync your desktop theme, your web browser settings, certain passwords, your language preferences, and more. Syncing not only ensures that your settings are the same on each PC or tablet but also backs them up so you don't lose them if one device goes bad. Let's look at the different settings you can sync and how to sync them.
First, you'll need to use the same Microsoft account to log into each Windows 10 device that you wish to sync. If you don't already have a Microsoft account, you can create one at the bottom of this Microsoft account page. Then make sure you log into Windows 10 using your new account.
Click on the Start button > Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings. By default, the option to Sync settings is turned on, but you can turn it off completely or turn it off selectively for each setting. Let's keep all the settings turned on at this point and go through each one so you can determine which ones you want to sync and which ones you don't.
- The first setting is Theme. Your theme consists of a desktop background image, display color, sound, and screen saver. The idea here is that instead of selecting individual backgrounds, colors, sounds, and a screen saver, you pick a single theme that incorporates all those element in one shot. To view and apply a theme, click on the Start button > Settings > Personalization > Themes > Theme Settings. You can apply an existing theme from the ones built into Windows 10 or download other themes from Microsoft's Desktop Themes website.
- The second option is Internet Explorer settings, which syncs your favorites, history list, and other content from the IE browser.
- The Passwords setting syncs credentials from certain websites and Windows apps.
- The fourth setting, for Language Preferences, applies to the spelling dictionary and other settings for the language or languages you use in Windows.
- The fifth setting, for Ease of Access, applies to all the options in the Ease of Access area, which you can see via the Start button > Settings > Ease of Access. From there, you can enable a variety of features designed for people with certain disabilities or limitations. The Narrator can read aloud to you text on the screen, while the Magnifier can zoom into text on the screen to make it easier to read.
- The sixth setting, for Other Windows Settings, sounds vague, but it covers options like list of installed apps, connected printers, and the size and color of your mouse cursor.
For more, check out:
- How to Copy and Paste Multiple Items in One Shot
- How to Sync Notifications Between Windows 10 and Your Phone
- How to Set Up Family Accounts in Windows 10
- How to Retrieve Folders, Files With Windows 10 Quick Access
- How to Share Your iTunes Library Among Multiple Devices
- How to Juggle Multiple Windows 10 Apps With Virtual Desktops