Solved How to verify mysterious Skydrive sync is functioning?

How can I verify that Skydrive is indeed syncing my apps and settings? Do they take up any of my 7GB(what's up with 7 anyway? should have at least made it 8 )?

I have checked the PC Settings section, everything is on, but there is no acknowledgement anywhere.

I am using 8.1 preview in a dual boot vhd, set it up just the way I like it. I am going to soon wipe out my entire HDD and put 8.1 on there as the only OS, wondering if my settings are going to make it or if I will be re-configuring again?

Huh. I guess Microsoft should release an article on this subject. I hate when things just "magically" work with no helpful indicators. I've tried some more googling and still no way to tell if it works except to cross my fingers and hope it worked when I do my rebuild.

Wondering the same. It now fearures a settings backup, but zero info as to how that works or even a way to restore these settings. Being able to restore settings would be extremely handy for clean installs

Well, some (good?) news on this. Just did my install, signed in with my Microsoft Account and it just...worked. Put links to install my apps in the start menu, cleaned out my start menu just as I had it. I don't think it syncs all settings though..I had to reconfigure my power options, corners settings, and desktop backround, lock screen image, and 4-digit passcode entry. Other than that, I didn't do much on my test install to see come over.

That's unusual. It should do that and also sync desktop background, lock screen, etc. same with account picture--8.0 did that as well. The other stuff I've always had to configure again.

What do you mean by links to reinstall apps?

Well, it didn't, despite my sitting around for 20 minutes waiting and hoping. Though that was probably one of the quirks of using a preview build before...dunno.

By links to reinstall apps I mean in the start menu were tiles that said things like "BookReader Not Installed", and if you clicked on them it downloaded and installed the app.

Hmm, I guess I'll give it a try and see. Worst-case scenario is that I have to use a backup image to get some stuff back. I know in 8.0, you may have to sign out/sign in sometimes for things to work properly.

Jamie96 said:

Well, it didn't, despite my sitting around for 20 minutes waiting and hoping. Though that was probably one of the quirks of using a preview build before...dunno.

By links to reinstall apps I mean in the start menu were tiles that said things like "BookReader Not Installed", and if you clicked on them it downloaded and installed the app.

Click to expand...

Try clicking on Store.
It might help.

Okay, so I performed a clean install using a Windows 8.1 Pro disc (after originally just doing the upgrade) and everything worked out just fine. All major settings carried over, including desktop background, lock screen, etc. The Windows installation even gave me the option to set the system up from backed up settings or as a new PC--much like iOS devices. This is how I originally expected the feature in Windows 8.0 to work, so it is a pleasant surprise. Needless to say, I prepared my own backup in case it did not work smoothly.

not sure why everything did not work for you. As you said, it must have been a preview issue or something. If you try in the future after installing the final version, however, it should work quite well.

Syncing should be instantaneous, I installed 3 Windows 8 in a row and each machine came up with the Wallpapers and Settings I set for the first one.

I don't know if the settings sync between 8 and 8.1, as soon as I install 8.1 I'll have an answer for that.