Sync settings - confused as to how it works

I have just re-installed Windows 8 on my desktop (x86 so that I can install 8.1 - old CPU problems!)

I already have a laptop currently running Windows 8.1 and it's set up and running well.

When I logged in to Windows 8 on the desktop after re-installing, I went into Network, and when it asks you whether you want to turn on discovery and then prompts you to select "private" or "public", I accidentally selected public. Didn't think much of it until I went onto my laptop and noticed that the network settings on my laptop had also now changed to public.

Which brings me onto, which settings are actually synced? I'm now worried that a load of settings on my new installation of Windows 8 on the desktop will have synced back to my laptop. And also, shouldn't this be the other way around? Shouldn't the new installation take the settings that I have on my laptop?

Thanks for any information

Do you have a Restore Point from before the change? If it reverts to private then next time you plug in the Laptop perhap it will resync to that. I'm just guessing. I'm using my first Laptop now. But I no longer have desktop PCs to hook it up to.

Hello Alex,

The tutorial below can help show you where to turn on and off all or individual settings to sync on all PCs that you sign in to with the same Microsoft account.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5591-sync-your-settings-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

If you haven't already, the tutorial below can show you how to change the network location to private.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/9837-network-location-set-private-public-windows-8-a.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks for the replies guys

I haven't yet checked for a restore point @milesahead but it had crossed my mind. Might look into it.

@Brink - thanks very much! I will have a good read of those and see where it gets me. I didn't have a "How should we set up your PC?" screen when installing on the desktop, but I am guessing that's because I am yet to install the 8.1 update.

Yeah, "How should we set up your PC?" would be part of a 8.1 installation if any saved settings are detected while setting up your Microsoft account.