Synchronize Windows settings

Policy ID: DisableWindowsOSSettings
Scope: Computer Configuration, User Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Microsoft User Experience Virtualization

Description

This policy setting configures the synchronization of Windows settings between computers.
Certain Windows settings will synchronize between computers by default. These settings include Windows themes, Windows desktop settings, Ease of Access settings, and network printers. Use this policy setting to specify which Windows settings synchronize between computers. You can also use these settings to enable synchronization of users' sign-in information for certain apps, networks, and certificates.
If you enable this policy setting, only the selected Windows settings synchronize. Unselected Windows settings are excluded from settings synchronization.
If you disable this policy setting, all Windows Settings are excluded from the settings synchronization.
If you do not configure this policy setting, any defined values will be deleted.

Options

The empty box and the checked box tell the checkbox items of the Group Policy editor apart (a checked box is an item that is selected by default).

Desktop settings
Ease of access
Themes
Roaming Credentials
Network Printers

Registry

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration\WindowsSettings View registry values

DesktopSettingsREG_DWORD
EaseOfAccessSettingsREG_DWORD
ThemeSettingsREG_DWORD
RoamingCredentialSettingsREG_DWORD
NetworkPrintersREG_DWORD

UserHKEY_CURRENT_USER

HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\UEV\Agent\Configuration\WindowsSettings View registry values

DesktopSettingsREG_DWORD
EaseOfAccessSettingsREG_DWORD
ThemeSettingsREG_DWORD
RoamingCredentialSettingsREG_DWORD
NetworkPrintersREG_DWORD

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (11)