HOW TO Microsoft accounts in Windows 10

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ADD A MICROSOFT ACCOUNT DURING INSTALLATION When you first install Windows 10 you’re given the opportunity to sign into your Microsoft account and start saving and synchronising data. In more recent versions of Windows 10, it has become almost impossible to avoid using a Microsoft account rather than a local one, but it is still worth keeping an eye open during installation make sure you don’t miss your opportunity.

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SWITCH FROM LOCAL TO MICROSOFT ACCOUNT If you have been using Windows 10 for a while, you may well have created a local account during the initial setup process – but you can easily convert it to a Microsoft account. Open Settings > Accounts, and click the Sign in with a Microsoft account instead link under Your Info. You’ll then be taken through the process of creating or switching to a Microsoft Account.

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ENABLE SETTING SYNCHRONISATION Once you are signed into your Microsoft account, you can configure synchronisation options. Within Settings > Accounts, click the Sync your settings link to the left, then make sure the Sync settings toggle is in the On position. By default, Windows will synchronise your desktop theme, passwords, language preference, Ease of Access settings, and some other options.

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SELECTIVELY DISABLE SYNCHRONISATION You may use your Microsoft account to log into a home computer and a work machine, and might not want to sync everything between the two. For example, you might want to use a different desktop theme on your work computer to look a little more professional! In Sync your settings, just toggle any of the switches to the Off position to stop them from syncing.