Remove sync data from Windows account

It is common that when we log in to our Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer with a Microsoft account, we also take advantage of the built-in synchronization function with the account of both operating systems. Through it, it takes some saved configurations, colors and backgrounds and stores them in the cloud to apply them to other devices where we have the same operating system and log in to them.

In this way, if we have different computers with the same operating system where we use the same Microsoft user account, the operating system is in charge of synchronizing them between them so that we have the same configurations in all of them. However, this option may not be to the liking of all users, so we must know that it is possible to deactivate it.

Remove sync data from Windows account

What are they and why delete the synchronization data

Every time we log in to our computer with a Microsoft account, the data related to our personal settings such as passwords, preferences, themes, languages, Wi-Fi profiles, Edge favorites, etc., are stored by default in the OneDrive cloud, which provides us by default with the Microsoft account. This saved data is used to synchronize the associated account when reinstalling Windows on the same computer or if we register other devices with the same account, as long as the synchronization options are activated.

This functionality, which many users are unaware of, was first introduced in Windows 8 and is still used in Windows 11. Keep in mind that, although updating our data and settings, these are synchronized with the cloud, it may be that, when Using multiple devices with the same account can cause this sync feature to be out of date and not display correctly on all devices with the same account.

And it is that, although it can be useful, it may be the case that at some point we need to delete all the content of the cloud and start from scratch with the new synchronizations that only have the most up-to-date data. The best time for this is if we are performing a clean install of Windows by setting up our PC account for the first time.

If we do not want our previous configuration to be synchronized with our new equipment or installation, we just have to follow a few simple steps to disable it

Turn off sync

If we want to deactivate the synchronization between devices, we will have to carry out a few simple steps. In Windows 10, if Sync “Settings” is turned on, Windows will set the settings you choose on all your Windows 10 devices where you’re signed in with your Microsoft account.

For Windows 11, when Windows Backup is turned on, Windows backs up the settings you choose on all Windows 11 devices that you’re signed in to with your Microsoft account.

That is why we are going to see how we can deactivate it in both cases.

Disable in Windows 10

If we don’t want our Microsoft settings to sync with our new device, we can remove them from Microsoft servers. This will allow us to log in to the new device with the default system settings . Next, we are going to see how to delete the synchronized data of our Microsoft account in Windows 10.

Configuración Cuentas Windows 10

The first thing we are going to do before deleting the synced data is to turn off the sync settings feature. To do this, it will be necessary to access the “Settings” menu, for which we can use the keyboard shortcut “Windows + I”. Later we click on the “Accounts” section and on the new screen we click on the “Synchronize settings” option, which we find in the menu on the left. Now in the right pane, we disable the “Sync Settings” option.

Sincronizar la configuración en Windows 10

Disable in Windows 11

To stop synchronizing the configuration and remove them from the cloud, we must deactivate the synchronized configuration on our Windows 11 computer. To do this, we must access the Configuration section, pressing the keyboard shortcut “Windows + I”. Then click on the “Accounts” section in the left panel and click on “Windows Backup” in the right panel.

Copias de seguridad de Windows 11

This will take us to a new page, where we find the following elements:

  • OneDrive folder synchronization: Activate OneDrive folder synchronization to start the backup of our files and folders directly from Settings.
  • Remember my apps – Windows will remind us of the apps we have installed and help us restore them from the Microsoft Store on our new devices.
  • Remember my preferences – We may back up your preferences, including passwords, language, and other system settings. If we activate the Other Windows settings section, the operating system also synchronizes some device settings (mouse and printer options, etc.), file explorer settings and notification preferences.

Windows 11 Recordar mis preferencias

That is why this is where we must deactivate the ” Remember my preferences” section, which are accessible from all our devices and which is made up of Passwords, Language Preferences and Other Windows settings, as we can see in the picture.

Remove synced settings from OneDrive

Once this is done, to stop synchronizing the configuration and remove them from the cloud we must access the Devices page . From here, we must log in with the details of our Microsoft account. In the event that we have more than one Microsoft account, we must ensure that we sign in with the same account from which we wish to delete the synchronized data.

Later we move to the bottom of the screen where we will find the “Remove” button. We click on it and then on the “Yes” button in the confirmation box to delete the synchronized data from the Microsoft OneDrive account.

Quitar configuración personal de Windows

You should then see a message that your personal settings have been removed from the cloud, although all settings may not be removed from Microsoft servers immediately. This data will be deleted when the next scheduled cleanup process occurs on Microsoft servers. In addition, we can activate the synchronization configuration again at the time we want to use it again.