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How to Sync a Laptop Automatically to a Microsoft Account

Use an official account to sync documents and files across Windows devices

By Matthew S. Smith Matthew S. Smith Writer Beloit College Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007. Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 6, 2022 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Sync Automatically to a Microsoft Account Sync Without a Microsoft Account Can I Sync With Mobile Device? Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

Open the Accounts in Windows' Settings > Your Info > Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.The on-screen instructions will step you through the process. This article will teach you how to set up an account so Microsoft store purchases, Edge web browser bookmarks, and other data sync automatically.

How to Sync a Laptop Automatically to a Microsoft Account

Follow these steps to sync a laptop automatically to a Microsoft account. Open the Windows Start menu, then select Settings. Select Accounts. Tap Your Info. Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. This is found under Account Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions to log in with your Microsoft account or create a new account. This step requires an Internet connection. This will complete the setup of your Microsoft account on your laptop. Once finished, basic Windows data can sync between devices. This includes purchases made in the Microsoft Store and bookmarks saved in the Microsoft Edge web browser. You can enhance your laptop's ability to sync automatically by installing OneDrive. This will let you sync files across devices. You can also sync documents across Microsoft Office applications if you subscribe to Office 365.

Can I Sync My Laptop Automatically Without a Microsoft Account

A Microsoft account is required to use the core sync features available in Windows. This includes Microsoft Store purchases, Windows settings, Edge browser bookmarks and tabs, and progress in some Microsoft games, among other things. However, you can get around using a Microsoft account for other services. Google's Drive and Apple's iCloud can be used to store files in the cloud and sync them across devices. Several Microsoft Office alternatives, such as Google Docs and Zoho Docs, can sync documents. Web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox offer their own sync utilities.

Can I Sync My Laptop Automatically With a Mobile Device

Logging in to your laptop with a Microsoft account can sync data between Windows devices, but it doesn't provide much utility when using a mobile device. You can use a Microsoft app called Your Phone to set up sync with an Apple or Android mobile device. This will help you install and log in to a variety of Microsoft services. Alternatively, you can download desired Microsoft apps individually from the App Store and Google Play store. FAQ Can I stop automatic sync on my laptop? You can stop your laptop from syncing automatically by removing the Microsoft account. Instead of using that option, choose Sign in with a local account instead. Select it and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the Microsoft account. This option does not remove other Microsoft services like OneDrive or Office 365. You'll need to sign out of those apps individually. How do I sync photos from my phone to a Windows laptop? Regardless of what kind of phone you use, you can easily sync your pictures and movies by using a cloud-storage service like Google Photos or Dropbox. Any photos you add from your phone will appear automatically on your computer once it syncs with the service. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Sync Chrome Bookmarks How to Synchronize Account Data With Windows 8 and 8.1 OneNote Not Syncing? How to Get It Back Online Your Guide to User Account Settings in Windows 11 Is Microsoft Word Free? Yes, It Can Be How to Change the User Folder Name in Windows 10 How to Use the Microsoft Family Safety App How to Install and Use Microsoft Edge for Android How to Fix It When Microsoft Edge Is Not Working How to Sync Google, Outlook, and iPhone Calendars How to Install Microsoft 365 on Your PC How to Sync a PS4 Controller Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome How to Download Netflix Movies on Laptop How to Bring the Windows 10 Experience to iOS and Android How to Sync Contacts from iPhone to Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies