It’s common to have such a need that sync a laptop and a desktop. The following are the main reasons for syncing them:
- Use the same settings on two computers without spending time manually entering theme customizations, browser options, etc.
- Move files to another computer faster.
Now, let’s see how to sync a laptop and a desktop.
How to Sync a Laptop and a Desktop (Files)
How to sync a desktop and a laptop? The following 2 tools support syncing files on Windows 11/10.
Way 1: Via MiniTool ShadowMaker
There is a free file sync tool for you. You can try the best backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker, which allows you to sync files between a laptop and a desktop on Windows 11/10/8/7. Besides, it allows you to back up and restore files & folders, and the system you need. Download it on your laptop.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
1. Please launch MiniTool ShadowMaker on your laptop and click Keep Trial.
2. Go to the Sync page to continue. Click the SOURCE module. Select the files or folders you want to sync and click OK to continue.
3. Under the DESTINATION tab, there are four paths available: User, Computer, Libraries, and Shared. To sync files to another computer, choose Shared, type Path, User name, and Password in sequence, and click OK to finish.
4. Then, you can click Sync Now or Sync Later to start now or later.
Way 2: Via OneDrive
How to sync a laptop and a desktop? You can also try OneDrive. However, OneDrive only allows you to sync known folders including Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Screenshots, and Camera Roll files. Besides, it doesn’t support syncing folders from other drives.
1. Now, you should log into the OneDrive account on your laptop and desktop.
2. Click the OneDrive icon on your laptop and click the Help & Settings icon.
3. Go to Settings > Account > Choose folders.
4. Then, you can choose the local folders that you want to sync and click OK.
How to Sync a Laptop and a Desktop (Settings)
In addition to syncing files, some users also want to sync settings from a laptop to a desktop. The following are the related steps:
Windows 11
1. Turn on your desktop. Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
2. Go to Account > Manage your account. Then, choose Your account and sign in with a Microsoft account.
3. Then, go to Windows Backup. Turn on the Remember my apps and Remember my preferences buttons.
Windows 10
1. Turn on your laptop. Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
2. Go to Account > Manage your account. Then, choose Your account and sign in with a Microsoft account.
3. Go to Sync settings and turn it on. Then, your settings will be synced to the computer using the same Microsoft account.
Final Words
How to sync a laptop and a desktop on Windows 11/10? This post provides corresponding methods and I hope that this post will be useful to you.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.