Do not synchronize Windows Apps: registry value DontSyncWindows8AppSettingsUserHKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration

Policy ID: DisableWin8Sync
Scope: Computer Configuration, User Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Microsoft User Experience Virtualization

This policy setting defines whether the User Experience Virtualization (UE-V) Agent synchronizes settings for Windows apps.
By default, the UE-V Agent synchronizes settings for Windows apps between the computer and the settings storage location.
If you enable this policy setting, the UE-V Agent will not synchronize settings for Windows apps.
If you disable this policy setting, the UE-V Agent will synchronize settings for Windows apps.
If you do not configure this policy setting, any defined values are deleted.
Note: If the user connects their Microsoft account for their computer then the UE-V Agent will not synchronize Windows apps. The Windows apps will default to whatever settings are configured in the Sync your settings configuration in Windows.

See the full description on the Group Policy page ›

Registry

DontSyncWindows8AppSettings

REG_DWORDUserComputer

…\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\ConfigurationHKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration Current key
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration

Enabled value: 1
Disabled value: 0

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

UserPer-account setting

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"DontSyncWindows8AppSettings"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"DontSyncWindows8AppSettings"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration" /v "DontSyncWindows8AppSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration" /v "DontSyncWindows8AppSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration' -Name 'DontSyncWindows8AppSettings' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration' -Name 'DontSyncWindows8AppSettings' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null

ComputerMachine-wide setting

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"DontSyncWindows8AppSettings"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"DontSyncWindows8AppSettings"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration" /v "DontSyncWindows8AppSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration" /v "DontSyncWindows8AppSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration' -Name 'DontSyncWindows8AppSettings' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration' -Name 'DontSyncWindows8AppSettings' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null