If you use OneDrive for both personal files and work or school, you can connect more than one account to the OneDrive app on Windows 11. Each account gets its own folder in File Explorer and syncs independently, so you don’t have to keep signing in and out. There’s one important limit to know about, and a few workarounds if you have two personal accounts.
The One-Personal-Account Limit
The OneDrive desktop app lets you add multiple work or school accounts (Microsoft 365 business or education accounts), but only one personal Microsoft account at a time. So you can sync a personal account plus one or more work accounts, but not two personal accounts side by side. Workarounds for that situation are covered below.
How to Add Another OneDrive Account
Step 1: Open OneDrive settings
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area at the right end of the taskbar. (If you don’t see it, click the up arrow to show hidden icons.) Click the gear icon, then choose Settings.
Step 2: Go to the Account section
Select the Account tab (or section, depending on your OneDrive version).
Step 3: Click Add an account
Click Add an account.
Step 4: Sign in
Enter the email address for the account you want to add, usually your work or school address, and follow the sign-in prompts, including any two-factor verification your organization requires.
Step 5: Choose the folder location
OneDrive suggests a folder location, such as OneDrive – Company Name in your user folder. Accept it or choose another location, then complete setup.
Step 6: Choose what to sync
Pick which folders to sync to this PC. With Files On-Demand, files can appear in File Explorer without taking up space until you open them.
Where to Find Each Account
Each account appears separately in the left pane of File Explorer, for example “OneDrive – Personal” and “OneDrive – Contoso.” In the taskbar, you’ll see a separate cloud icon for each account: personal accounts typically show a white icon and work or school accounts a blue icon.
Workarounds for Two Personal Accounts
- Use the web for the second account. Sign in to onedrive.live.com in a different browser or browser profile to access the second account’s files.
- Share a folder between accounts. From the second personal account, share a folder with your main account. In your main account, add the shared folder to your OneDrive (“Add shortcut to My files”) so it syncs through the desktop app.
- Switch accounts. In OneDrive Settings, click Unlink this PC on the current account, then sign in with the other one. This isn’t practical for daily use, but works for occasional access.
How to Remove an Added Account
Open OneDrive Settings > Account, find the account, and click Unlink this PC. Files already downloaded stay in the local folder, but they stop syncing. Online copies aren’t affected. For more, see how to change the OneDrive account on Windows 11.
Troubleshooting
- “You’re already syncing a personal OneDrive”: You’ve hit the one-personal-account limit. Use a workaround above.
- Can’t sign in to a work account: Your organization may restrict OneDrive sync on personal devices. Check with IT.
- Sign-in problems: See how to fix OneDrive sign-in issues on Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do multiple accounts use more storage on my PC?
Only for files you download. With Files On-Demand turned on, online-only files take almost no space until you open them. You can right-click a folder and choose Free up space to make files online-only again.
Can I see both accounts in the Office apps?
Yes. In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, go to File > Account and add the other account under connected services, or sign in to switch. You can then open and save files from either OneDrive.
Will adding a work account let my employer see my personal files?
No. Each account is separate. However, some organizations manage work-connected devices, so read your organization’s policies before adding a work account to a personal PC.
Can I move files between the two accounts?
Yes. Drag files from one OneDrive folder to the other in File Explorer. The file is uploaded to the destination account; check your organization’s rules before moving work files to a personal account.
Summary
To add another OneDrive account in Windows 11, click the OneDrive cloud icon, open Settings, go to Account, click Add an account, and sign in. You can add multiple work or school accounts alongside one personal account. For a second personal account, use the web, a shared folder shortcut, or switch accounts.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.