Sync Windows 8 User Settings Between PCs & Tablets via Windows Live ID(part-10)

Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 includes two options to log on; you can create local account or choose to sign in with Windows Live ID (email address). If you choose to sign in with your Windows Live ID, you are able to automatically synchronize your settings, such as, history, shortcuts, application settings, password for services with your other PCs and devices. By default, it asks you to enter the Windows Live email address for which you want to create a new Windows account. Once specified, it will start verifying your Windows Live ID. After the email address is verified, it prompts you to enter the password to finally create an account.


Since it needs an active internet connection to initiate verification process, you may want to create a local account which doesn’t require you to be connected with internet. In this post, we will guide you through the process of creating both Microsoft Live and Local User Account. The first step is to launch Control Panel from either Windows 8 Start Menu or Windows Start Search. In Start Menu, you will find Control Panel tile underneath the Internet Explorer and Store tiles.

Now select Users from left sidebar, followed by Add a user from main window.

It will ask you to enter Windows Live email address followed by password to create a Windows 8 user account connected with your Windows Live ID. However, if you want to create a local account, click More about logon options.

It must be noted that Local account is limited to your PC only, thus you will not be able to sync your Windows 8 settings, supported application preferences, and password of supported services with other PCs and tablets running Windows 8.

In this step, enter your username, password, and password hint. Now click Next to create a local account.

If you chose to use your Windows Live ID instead of Local Account, you will be able to sync a lot of important data and settings of your computer to the cloud. Once you have your account setup for syncing, you will see an additional option under Control Panel called ‘Sync PC Settings’. Clicking this will show you several toggles for syncing your data and settings with your Windows Live account.

These options include enabling or disabling sync, choosing what to sync from personalization options like Windows colors, wallpapers, lock screen and themes to more advanced data like your Ease of Access settings, language preferences, web browser history, bookmarks and favorites, Taskbar, Windows Explorer and search preferences, Homegroup and mouse settings, account picture, your saved passwords for certain apps, websites and networks, and even certain settings of your apps. If you are using Windows 8 on a tablet with a metered data plan or high roaming charges, you can even choose whether to sync while connected through that data plan or not.

Considering the benefits that come with Windows Live ID based Windows 8 User Account, we highly recommend it so that you can seamlessly synchronize your settings across your tablets and computers.