Disable Personalization Sync Using Regedit

This article explains how to prevent Windows from synchronizing user personalization data—such as themes, wallpapers, and desktop preferences—to Microsoft cloud storage using the Windows Registry Editor. By configuring specific policy keys in the registry, system administrators and users can completely block cloud synchronization across devices linked to the same Microsoft account.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit into the field and press Enter (or click OK).
  3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative permissions.

Step 2: Navigate to the SettingSync Key

In the Registry Editor’s left-hand navigation pane or address bar, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync

Note: If the SettingSync folder (key) does not exist under Windows, right-click on the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name it SettingSync.

Step 3: Create and Configure the DWORD Values

To disable personalization synchronization, you need to create or modify specific DWORD (32-bit) values inside the SettingSync key:

  1. Disable Personalization Sync:
    • Right-click an empty space in the right pane of SettingSync.
    • Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
    • Name the value: DisablePersonalizationSync
    • Double-click DisablePersonalizationSync, set the Value data to 2, and click OK.
  2. Disable User Override (Optional but Recommended):
    • Right-click an empty space in the right pane.
    • Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
    • Name the value: DisablePersonalizationSyncUserOverride
    • Double-click it, set the Value data to 1, and click OK.
  3. Disable All Settings Sync (Alternative Global Method):
    • If you want to block all synchronization (including passwords, language, and other Windows settings), create a DWORD (32-bit) named DisableSettingSync.
    • Set its Value data to 2.

Step 4: Apply the Changes

  1. Close the Registry Editor.
  2. Restart your computer or sign out and sign back into your Windows account to apply the changes.

Once applied, Windows will stop uploading and synchronizing your personalization settings to your Microsoft cloud account, and the synchronization toggles in the Windows Settings app will be disabled or managed by your organization.