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I prefer keeping code snippets on the device where I use them because a snippet can reveal more about my work than I intend to share. That is a privacy preference, not a claim that every snippet contains a secret. In Visual Studio Code (VS Code), the practical question is whether I have enabled the specific sync category that sends snippets to my account—and what remote copies already exist.
Does VS Code sync snippets?
It can. VS Code lists user snippets as a selectable category in Settings Sync. After you sign in, the service synchronizes the categories you select in the background. Microsoft describes the behavior this way: “After you sign in, Settings Sync automatically merges your local and cloud data and continues to synchronize changes in the background.” That is the product’s description of its sync behavior, not an independent security assessment. See the VS Code Settings Sync documentation, updated September 30, 2026.
So signing in alone does not mean every snippet is necessarily synced: check whether snippets are among your selected categories. The same settings area lets you review which other kinds of VS Code data are included.
How to stop snippets syncing in VS Code
- Review the selected categories. Open the Settings Sync controls and inspect the data categories. If you want snippets to remain local while syncing other data, deselect the snippets category.
- Turn off Settings Sync for a local-only setup. Use the Settings Sync control to turn syncing off if you do not want those selected categories synchronized. This stops future Settings Sync activity; it is separate from removing data already stored remotely.
- Clear existing cloud data if needed. If you want to remove synced data from the cloud, use the documented option to clear cloud data on all devices. Do not assume switching sync off also deletes existing remote copies.
Refer to Microsoft’s Settings Sync instructions for the current controls and prompts.
#1 Best Overall
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Check your local backups before changing workflows
VS Code maintains timestamped JSON backups in a local backup folder. Microsoft says those local backups are deleted after 30 days, while the service retains the latest 20 remote versions per category. These are VS Code retention details, not general norms for cloud storage. If you may need a snippet later, check the local backup folder before changing your setup; a separate offline copy is a practical precaution, not a VS Code requirement. If you put that copy on an external drive, treat encryption as a separate security measure.
Turning off Settings Sync does not make VS Code offline
Settings Sync is only one online feature. VS Code’s documentation also identifies online services for updates, extension discovery and installation, and Natural Language Search. Extensions can make their own network requests too. Disabling online-service settings or Settings Sync therefore does not, by itself, make the editor wholly offline. Review VS Code’s telemetry and online-services documentation and the network behavior of extensions you use.
Rank #2
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Copilot session history is a separate control
Code snippets and Copilot chat session history are different data. VS Code documents a local-only option for session data. Synced Copilot sessions are private by default unless explicitly shared, but remain in your GitHub account until deleted. If you use Copilot and want session history to stay local, review the separate session-history sync controls and delete existing account-stored sessions when appropriate.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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Rank #4
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Local-snippet privacy checklist
- Check whether the snippets category is selected in Settings Sync.
- If snippets should stay local, deselect that category or turn off sync.
- Use the all-devices cloud-data clearing option if you also want to remove existing synced data.
- Check the local timestamped JSON backups and make a separate copy if you need longer retention.
- Review VS Code online services and extension network behavior separately.
- If you use Copilot, check its session-history control and delete synced sessions you no longer want stored.
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