When you sign in to two Windows 11 PCs with the same Microsoft account, Windows keeps a lot in sync: your wallpaper and theme, saved passwords, language settings, and, through OneDrive, even your Desktop and Documents folders. That’s handy until you want two computers to behave differently, such as a work laptop and a family PC. There isn’t a single “unsync” button. Instead, you turn off each type of syncing you don’t want. This guide walks through every one.
Quick answer
On the PC you want to separate, go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup and turn off Remember my preferences and Remember my apps. Then stop OneDrive folder backup and turn off Edge sync and clipboard sync if you use them. For complete separation, switch that PC to a local account or a different Microsoft account.
What syncs between Windows 11 PCs
| What syncs | Controlled by |
|---|---|
| Theme, wallpaper, language, accessibility | Settings > Accounts > Windows backup |
| Wi-Fi passwords and app passwords | Settings > Accounts > Windows backup |
| Desktop, Documents, Pictures | OneDrive |
| Favorites, browser passwords, history | Edge or Chrome sync |
| Copied text and images | Clipboard settings |
Step 1: Turn off settings sync
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Accounts > Windows backup.
- Turn off Remember my preferences. You can also expand it and turn off individual items, such as accessibility, passwords, language preferences, and other Windows settings like your theme.
- Turn off Remember my apps so the list of installed apps isn’t saved to your account.
Do this on each PC you want to keep separate. Settings already synced stay as they are, but future changes no longer copy between computers.
Step 2: Stop OneDrive from syncing your folders
If files on your Desktop or in Documents appear on both computers, OneDrive is backing up those folders.
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, then the gear icon, and choose Settings.
- Open Sync and back up and click Manage back up.
- Turn off backup for Desktop, Documents, Pictures, or any other folder you want to keep local.
Windows may ask where to keep the files. Read the prompt carefully, since files may stay in OneDrive unless you choose to keep a copy on the PC. To stop OneDrive on that computer entirely, open OneDrive settings, go to Account, and choose Unlink this PC. Your files stay safe in OneDrive online. See how to sync OneDrive on Windows 11 for more about how it works.
Step 3: Turn off browser sync
Microsoft Edge syncs favorites, passwords, history, and extensions. Open Edge, go to Settings > Profiles > Sync, and turn off the items you don’t want shared, or sign out of the profile. In Chrome, open Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services and adjust or turn off sync.
Step 4: Turn off clipboard sync
Go to Settings > System > Clipboard and turn off Clipboard history across your devices. Text you copy on one PC will no longer appear on the other.
Step 5: Check other connected apps
- Outlook and Calendar: Email and calendars sync through your account by design. Remove the account from the app if you don’t want mail on that PC.
- Phone Link: If both PCs connect to your phone, remove the PC from the Phone Link app or the phone’s Link to Windows settings.
- Microsoft Store apps: Apps you’ve bought can still be installed on both PCs. Uninstall them on the PC where you don’t want them.
Step 6: Use a different account for full separation
The only way to fully separate two computers is to sign in with different accounts.
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
- Choose Sign in with a local account instead if the option is available, and follow the prompts.
- Or add a different Microsoft account under Accounts > Other users and use that one on the second PC.
Back up your files first, and make sure you know the password for the new account.
Remove the PC from your Microsoft account
If you’ve given a computer away or no longer use it, sign in to your Microsoft account online, open the Devices page, and remove it. This keeps your device list tidy, but it doesn’t change settings on the PC itself.
Related: How to sync OneDrive on Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Will turning off sync delete anything?
No. Turning off settings sync stops future changes from copying. Your files and settings stay on each PC.
Why does my wallpaper still change on both PCs?
Turn off Remember my preferences on both computers, then restart them.
Can two PCs share an account but not files?
Yes. Keep the same account but turn off OneDrive folder backup on one PC.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.