Two Windows 11 PCs signed in with the same Microsoft account can share files through OneDrive and settings through Windows backup. To unsync them, decide which kind of sharing you want to stop. If the same desktop icons and documents appear on both PCs, turn off OneDrive folder backup on one PC: select the OneDrive cloud icon, then Settings > Sync and backup > Manage back up, and turn off Desktop, Documents and Pictures. To stop wallpaper, passwords and preferences from matching, go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup and turn off Remember my preferences.
Applies to: Windows 11 Home and Pro with a personal Microsoft account. Most steps also work in Windows 10. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
What syncs between two PCs
- Files: OneDrive keeps the same files on both PCs. If folder backup is on, your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders live in OneDrive, so they match on every PC. Deleting a file on one PC deletes it on the other.
- Settings: Windows backup syncs your theme, wallpaper, language, accessibility settings, Wi-Fi passwords and some other preferences.
- Apps: Windows can remember your Microsoft Store apps and pin them on a new PC.
- Browser: Microsoft Edge syncs favorites, passwords, history and extensions.
- Clipboard: clipboard history can sync between PCs.
Stop your desktop and documents from syncing
This is the most common reason two PCs look the same. Do this on the PC you want to separate.
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar’s notification area. If you don’t see it, select the up arrow to show hidden icons.
- Select the gear icon, then Settings.
- Select Sync and backup > Manage back up.
- Turn off Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and any other folders you don’t want shared.
- Confirm with Stop backup.
After you stop backup, new files you save to these folders stay on this PC only. Files already in OneDrive stay there and remain available in the OneDrive folder. To keep a local copy of any of them, move them from the OneDrive folder back into your local Desktop or Documents folder. See how to back up to OneDrive in Windows 11 for more on these folders.
Choose which OneDrive folders appear on this PC
If you still want OneDrive but not every folder on both PCs, open OneDrive Settings > Account > Choose folders and clear the folders you don’t want downloaded to this PC. They stay safe online.
Stop OneDrive syncing on this PC completely
In OneDrive Settings > Account, select Unlink this PC, then Unlink account. OneDrive stops syncing, and the files already downloaded stay in the OneDrive folder as ordinary files. See how to turn off OneDrive in Windows 11.
Stop Windows settings from syncing
- Open Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.
- Turn off Remember my preferences, or expand it and clear only the items you don’t want shared, such as Personalization or Passwords.
- Turn off Remember my apps if you don’t want your apps listed on the other PC.
Do this on both PCs if you want them fully separate. Settings already copied stay until you change them.
Stop Edge from syncing
- Open Microsoft Edge and select the three dots > Settings.
- Select Profiles > Sync.
- Turn off the items you don’t want shared, such as Favorites or History, or select Turn off sync.
Chrome and Firefox have similar settings if you use those browsers.
Stop clipboard sharing
Go to Settings > System > Clipboard and turn off Clipboard history across your devices.
Separate the PCs completely with different accounts
If the PCs belong to different people, give each person their own account. Sharing one Microsoft account between people shares email, OneDrive and settings.
- Add a new account: on the second PC, go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account, and set up the other person’s own Microsoft account.
- Switch to a local account: go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and select Sign in with a local account instead, if offered. The PC stops syncing through your Microsoft account.
A Microsoft 365 Family subscription can be shared with up to five other people, each with their own account and OneDrive. You don’t need to share one account to share Office. See how to change the Microsoft account in Windows 11.
Troubleshooting
Deleting a file on one PC deletes it on the other
That file is in OneDrive. Stop folder backup or move the file out of the OneDrive folder before deleting it. Deleted OneDrive files can be restored from the OneDrive recycle bin online for 30 days.
The desktop on both PCs still looks the same
Shortcuts copied to OneDrive remain on both. After stopping backup, delete the shortcuts you don’t want from the OneDrive Desktop folder on one PC, but remember that removes them from the other PC too while sync is on there.
The wallpaper keeps changing back
Personalization sync is still on for the other PC. Turn off Remember my preferences on both PCs.
I removed the PC from my Microsoft account online, but it still syncs
Removing a device at account.microsoft.com only removes it from the list. Sync continues while the PC is signed in with that account. Use the steps above on the PC itself.
Frequently asked questions
Will unsyncing delete my files?
No. Turning off backup or unlinking OneDrive doesn’t delete anything. Your files stay in OneDrive online and in the local folders where they were.
Can two PCs share files without syncing everything?
Yes. Keep OneDrive on but turn off folder backup, and save only the files you want to share into a shared OneDrive folder.
Do I need to sign out of Office?
No. Office activation is separate from OneDrive and settings sync. Turning off sync doesn’t affect your Microsoft 365 subscription.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.