How do I prepare my computer for Sync?
The Sync desktop app will synchronize your files whenever you are signed into your computer. The Sync desktop app will temporarily stop syncing when your computer is put to sleep, off, or if you have signed out.
You can easily change a few settings on your computer to help the Sync desktop app continue to synchronize your files, even when you are away from your computer.
In this article:
Setting up your Windows desktop
Prevent your Windows 10 desktop from going to sleep:
- Click the Windows logo at the bottom left corner of your screen
- Click the Settings icon (gear cog)
- Click System
- Select Power & Sleep from the menu
- Under Sleep, choose Never (when plugged in, PC goes to sleep after)
Prevent your Windows 7 or 8 desktop from going to sleep:
- Click the Windows logo at the bottom left corner of your screen
- Click Control Panel
- Click System & Security
- Click Power Options
- Ensure the Balanced (recommended) plan is selected / checked
- Click Change plan settings
- Choose the Never option from the Put the computer to sleep dropdown list
- Click Save changes
Setting up your Mac
Prevent your Mac from going to sleep:
- Click the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen
- Select System Preferences …
- Click Energy Saver
- Check Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off
- Check Wake for network access
- Check Enable Power Nap
Instead of signing out of your Mac, enable a screensaver with secure authentication (optional):
- Click the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen
- Select System Preferences …
- Click Desktop & Screen Saver
- Click the Screen Saver tab
- Enable a screen saver and set to to Start after 10 minutes (you can adjust the start time to your liking)
- Click Hot Corners and set a hot corner that will Start Screen Saver
Once you have enabled a screen saver:
- Click the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen
- Select System Preferences …
- Click Security & Privacy
- Click the General tab
- Check Require password immediately after sleep or screen saver begins (you can adjust the time to your liking)
Now your Mac will stay awake, and you can start your screen saver (using hot corners), instead of signing out, as your screensaver will prompt for authentication. This setup will ensure that the Syncs desktop app is always running in the background.