Solved Syncing Windows 8.1 update to Windows 10

Cliff S · Jan 24, 2015

First of all I have Windows 8.1 on my desktop and Windows 7 on my laptop.

Months ago, before I had my desktop, I tried Windows Tech Preview(when the it first came out) on my laptop so I know it works. Now the Tech Preview is more advanced along and I have my desktop as my workhorse I want/can try it again.

So my question is: If I use the same(my only) Windows account for both the 8.1 and for Tech Preview:

Will my 8.1 settings sync with 10?
Will there be any compatibility issues with the syncing?
How about, if I just sync them 1x after installation, then turn the OneDrive settings syncing off(what I really want to do to set 10 up quicker)?

Anyone that's done this please tell me how it went. Otherwise I'll just start from scratch(can also be fun), at least then I'll learn where everything is faster that way probably.

Note: I know there will be now problem with files, so what I need input on is syncing system, app, IE and personalization settings.
Thanks

Nuccii · Jan 24, 2015

Hi Cliff
This question would be better answered on the 10 Forum
Windows 10 Forums

Cliff S · Jan 24, 2015

Nuccii said:
Hi Cliff
This question would be better answered on the 10 Forum
Windows 10 Forums

Not really because I want to protect my 8.1 settings on my desktop and most of the 10 forums people are also in 8 forums, so I'll know before I install.

paulsalter · Jan 24, 2015

I have all my settings syncing between 8.1 and 10 (latest release), favourites, apps etc all sync between them

Not had any problems with 8.1 or 10 due to the syncing

alphanumeric · Jan 25, 2015

I did a couple of clean installs and logged in with my Live ID. As near as I could tell everything synced. My favorites etc were all there.

Cliff S · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks to both of you, my worries are gone. I'll marked solved, but if anybody further wants to comment ok.

alphanumeric · Jan 25, 2015

All I can add is, what gets synced depends on your sync settings are set too. Charms Bar > Settings > Chang PC Settings > OneDrive > Sync Settings. I have some turned off. Namely Start Screen Tile Layout. My laptop and desktop have different screen sizes and different tile layouts. If I sync them my tiles get moved every time I log into the other PC. If you set the very bottom one, "Back up your settings for this PC", it will keep track of each PC you use with your live ID. When I do a clean install, it matches the computer name I enter to the backup I have saved. On my laptop it lists K75DE or set up as a new PC. On my desktop it will list M4N68 or setup as a new PC. It keeps track of what is different on each PC. My tile layouts are still saved, they just don't sync across the two PC's. It's bit difficult to describe without actually seeing it happen.

Cliff S · Jan 25, 2015

alphanumeric said:
All I can add is, what gets synced depends on your sync settings are set too. Charms Bar > Settings > Chang PC Settings > OneDrive > Sync Settings. I have some turned off. Namely Start Screen Tile Layout. My laptop and desktop have different screen sizes and different tile layouts. If I sync them my tiles get moved every time I log into the other PC. If you set the very bottom one, "Back up your settings for this PC", it will keep track of each PC you use with your live ID. When I do a clean install, it matches the computer name I enter to the backup I have saved. On my laptop it lists K75DE or set up as a new PC. On my desktop it will list M4N68 or setup as a new PC. It keeps track of what is different on each PC. My tile layouts are still saved, they just don't sync across the two PC's. It's bit difficult to describe without actually seeing it happen.

I think I follow what you mean. I was just wanting to sync my laptop just once to get the system settings and Desktop Environment(relatively) and library contents and then tune the sync settings to only sync my libraries and OneDrive

. I was just worried that If I sync, it would make changes to my 8.1 desktop and kill everything. That happened to me once with a browser Chrome I think, where I set up chrome in Ubuntu set up sync and it uploaded, instead of downloading, my freshly installed virgin chrome settings, and that destroyed my chrome settings in windows. That was years ago though, but I learn like Pavlov's Dogs.

alphanumeric · Jan 25, 2015

I don't think it will sync library contents. One Drive files yes, but what's in the user folders no. Not that I know of anyway. I'm still learning what it does and how it does it. I haven't lost anything yet.

paulsalter · Jan 26, 2015

Since Christmas I have set up 2 new machines using my Live ID and have all the syncing turned on, from what I can tell nothing has been messed up

Windows 8 Start Screen and the new Start Menu in 10 do not sync, so if the option to sync these is enabled it will just be a backup of the settings, however if you log onto another 8 device or activate the menu from the previous TP it will sync to these (only syncs if same menu used on all devices)

I have had issues of this type of syncing previously, so was a bit vary when I first started using it, but from what I see this is something that MS have got working very well, logging into a new machine and settings, apps, favourites etc automatically available is great

alphanumeric · Jan 26, 2015

paulsalter said:
Since Christmas I have set up 2 new machines using my Live ID and have all the syncing turned on, from what I can tell nothing has been messed up

Windows 8 Start Screen and the new Start Menu in 10 do not sync, so if the option to sync these is enabled it will just be a backup of the settings, however if you log onto another 8 device or activate the menu from the previous TP it will sync to these (only syncs if same menu used on all devices)

I have had issues of this type of syncing previously, so was a bit vary when I first started using it, but from what I see this is something that MS have got working very well, logging into a new machine and settings, apps, favourites etc automatically available is great

It saves from setting it all up from scratch again. The one thing I don't sync is my tile layout. My laptop and desktop have different size screens. I'd log into my laptop and the tiles would be rearranged and I'd put them back the way I wanted them. Latter on if I logged into my desktop its tiles would be rearranged to try and match my laptop. I'd rearrange them back the way I had them. Log into my laptop and guess what, wash, rinse, and repeat.

paulsalter · Jan 26, 2015

Do you have your tiles in groups?
my tablet (lower res than laptop) adjusted them to fit the screen, but laptop with 8 kept them as they where
for example
If I had a group call 'Media' and placed 5 apps in this
My laptop would show this as a column of 4, followed by one app in the next column
My Tablet would adjust this slightly and show it as a column of 3 and a second column with 2 in it
apps all in the same order on both, just adjusted due to screen size

Both these devices do have very similar resolutions, could be why it works, I don't have a desktop to try with unfortunately

alphanumeric · Jan 26, 2015

paulsalter said:
Do you have your tiles in groups?
my tablet (lower res than laptop) adjusted them to fit the screen, but laptop with 8 kept them as they where
for example
If I had a group call 'Media' and placed 5 apps in this
My laptop would show this as a column of 4, followed by one app in the next column
My Tablet would adjust this slightly and show it as a column of 3 and a second column with 2 in it
apps all in the same order on both, just adjusted due to screen size

Both these devices do have very similar resolutions, could be why it works, I don't have a desktop to try with unfortunately

Yes I have them in groups. My laptop screen is 17.3 inches 1600 x 700 I think? My desktop has 3 monitors, the main one being a 22 inch 1080p. I have stuff installed on my desktop that I don't on my laptop and vise versa. For me there isn't any real advantage to syncing my tile layout.

Solved Syncing Windows 8.1 update to Windows 10

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