Got two Windows 11 machines that keep talking to each other more than they should? Yeah, that can get pretty annoying, especially if you want each device to stay in its own lane. The good news is, it’s not too tricky — just a bit of poking around in the settings to untangle things. Basically, you’re stopping your computers from sharing files, preferences, or whatever else they’ve been syncing. Here’s how to do it:
How to Unsync Two Computers in Windows 11
This involves heading into your settings and switching off the sync stuff — because those options are what’s making your PCs share data. When done right, each machine will stay separate, keeping your personal stuff confined to just one device. Good for privacy or if you just don’t want things overwriting each other by accident.
Step 1: Open Settings
If you’re on Windows 11, click the Start menu and then head to Settings. Or, hit Windows key + I for a quick shortcut. Fair warning: Settings can be a bit funny if updates are pending or profiles are a bit odd, but mostly it’s pretty straightforward. You’re after the gear icon, of course.
Step 2: Go to Accounts
Once in Settings, click on Accounts. This is where Windows handles your login info, Microsoft account sync, and all that. You want to find the bit that controls how things sync across your devices.
Step 3: Find Sync Your Settings
On the left sidebar, click Sync your settings. Some folks call it “Sync settings” or “Sync your Windows settings.” It’s usually below your account info, but on some setups, it might be tucked away if the layout’s been updated.
Step 4: Turn Off Individual Sync Options
This is the key part. You’ll see toggles for stuff like Theme, Passwords, Language preferences, and so on. Switch off the ones you want to keep local. Yeah, it’s a bit tedious, since Windows throws a lot of options at you, but that’s how you keep things separate.
Tip: If you want to be extra thorough, consider disabling sync in OneDrive too. Files and folders there might still be syncing in the background unless you pause or disable it.
Step 5: Sign Out of Your Microsoft Account (Optional)
If you want to be deadset sure nothing sneaks through, you can sign out of your Microsoft account on that device. Head to Settings > Accounts > Your Info and click Sign out. Not always necessary, but it helps stop any future weird syncing happening without you noticing.
Note: On some setups, signing out might reset local settings or prompt you to confirm. Sometimes, a quick reboot helps everything settle after these changes.
Once you’ve done that, your computers should stop sharing data. Each one stays in its own bit of grass — great for privacy or if you’re tinkering with different setups.
Tips to Make It Stick
- Make sure you’re editing the right machine — duh, but it’s easy to get mixed up if you’re switching between devices.
- If you’re using OneDrive, double-check if it’s paused or turned off — sometimes, files are still syncing in the background even if Windows sync is off.
- Set a reminder to recheck your sync settings after Windows updates — they can sometimes turn things back on without warning.
- If you’re worried about losing important settings, back up your configs or jot down preferences first — better safe than sorry.
- Consider making separate user profiles if you want full separation of data, especially if the devices are shared.
FAQs
What happens if I unsync my computers?
Basically, they stop sharing stuff — no more automatic updates of themes, passwords, or settings across devices. They work independently again, which can be handy if you’re chasing a bit of privacy.
Can I turn sync back on later?
You bet. Just head into Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings and flick everything back on. Windows makes it pretty easy to get things syncing again if you want.
Will disconnecting my account cause any issues?
No worries — signing out doesn’t delete your Microsoft account or your files. It just stops the automatic sharing. Your accounts stay put, and your data stays safe either in the cloud or on the device.
Is turning off OneDrive a must?
If you want zero sharing, including files, then yeah — turn off or pause OneDrive sync. Sometimes files are still moving in the background, even if Windows sync is off, so it’s good to check.
Do I need to restart after changing sync settings?
Not always. Usually, the changes kick in straight away or after a quick sign out/in. Only restart if you’re still having issues or if sync keeps acting up after you switch it off.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Go to Accounts.
- Click on Sync your settings.
- Turn off what you don’t want syncing anymore.
- If you want, sign out of your Microsoft account for good measure.
Hopefully this makes things easier for someone. Just remember to double-check your settings after updates, and keep an eye on OneDrive if you want total control. Stopping devices from sharing stuff isn’t rocket science — it’s just good sense, especially if you’re worried about privacy or troubleshooting some weird cross-device gremlins.