How to Use OneDrive Personal and Business on Same Computer (2024)

OneDrive Personal vs. Business

On the surface, OneDrive Personal and OneDrive Business seem to be the same thing, just with different names. But in fact, they are not the same tool. OneDrive Personal and Business are collectively known as Microsoft cloud storage, but they serve different purposes. If you are also confused about the difference between OneDrive Personal and Business, you can continue reading below.

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OneDrive Personal

OneDrive personal is a cloud storage service for individual consumers. It allows you to store files in the cloud and sync OneDrive files to computerand other devices. Signing up for a free Microsoft account gives you automatic access to OneDrive, with 5GB of free storage, and you can subscribe to advanced plans to get more OneDrive storage. You can share files, documents, and photos with friends, family, or colleagues via links and emails.

OneDrive Business

OneDrive Business is part of Microsoft 365 and is designed for organizations. It allows organizations to provide employees with personal storage that can be managed from a central location, with no free storage and starting at 1 TB per user. In OneDrive Business, you can share and collaborate on documents with colleagues in the organization. Multiple team members can access the same copy of a document.

Can I Have OneDrive Personal and OneDrive for Business on Same Computer?

Hi. I've been using a OneDrive Personal account for a number of years and have it set up on my computer. Recently, My employer is introducing OneDrive for Business, and I need to set this up on my computer as well. Can I use OneDrive Personal and Business on same computer?

Question from answers.microsoft.com

OneDrive is integrated with Windows, and users can use the OneDrive desktop application to log in to OneDrive Personal at any time. Can I use OneDrive for Business and Personal on same computer? Of course!

How to Use OneDrive Personal and Business on Same Computer

Below, we will introduce two methods to use OneDrive Personal and Business same emailon the same computer.

Way 1. Use OneDrive App to Set up OneDrive Personal and Business together

The OneDrive desktop app allows you to have two or more accounts on a single computer, but only one can be a personal OneDrive account. Can I have 2 personal OneDrive accounts on one computer? No! To add multiple OneDrive personal accounts on a single PC, you can turn to the second solution.

You can use OneDrive and OneDrive for Business on same computerwith the guide below:

Step 1. Run the OneDrive sync client, and log in with your personal account.

Step 2. Complete the setup wizard for your OneDrive Personal. Then, click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar, hit Help & Settings, and choose Settings.

How to Use OneDrive Personal and Business on Same Computer (2)

Step 3. Under the Account tab, tap on Add an account button to enter your Business account, and finish the setup.

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Step 4. After that, OneDrive for Business and OneDrive Personal are on same computer. There would be two OneDrive icons on the taskbar. The blue one is for your business account, and the white one is for your personal account.

Also, two OneDrive sync folders will be displayed in File Explorer. You can copy and paste files between the two folders to sync data.

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Way 2. Use OneDrive Personal and Business together with MultCloud

MultCloudallows you to add unlimited OneDrive Personal and OneDrive Business accounts on a single interface. In addition, it also supports Dropbox and Dropbox Business, Google Drive and Google Workspace, etc. It allows you to manage multiple cloud storage accounts more easily and efficiently. Also, you can set up an automatic sync between two clouds.

How to organize OneDrive Business and Personal on same computerwith this tool is listed as follows:

Step 1. Sign up for a free account for MultCloud. You could also log in with your Facebook or Google account without sign-up.

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Step 2. Click Add Cloud under My Cloud Drives, choose OneDrive in the Personal Clouds list and sign in with your OneDrive Personal account to grant permission access.Tap OneDrive for Business under Business Clouds to permit access likewise.

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Step 3. Then, you can access and edit files from both clouds on the right panel to manage OneDrive private and business on same computerwithout a breeze.

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How do I sync OneDrive Personal and Business? If you want to synchronize files from OneDrive Personal to OneDrive Business, you can hit Cloud Sync > Add the sync source > choose your sync destination > press Sync Now.

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How to Merge OneDrive Personal or Business Accounts

If you think managing OneDrive Personal and Business on same computeris too cumbersome, you can directly combine multiple OneDrive accounts into one space for easy management. CBackup, a free cloud backupservice, enables you to merge multiple OneDrive accounts for free. With this tool, you can synchronize and backup files to OneDrive, Google Drive, and other mainstream cloud storage.

How to merge personal or business OneDrive accounts using CBackup? You can go with the following instructions.

Step 1. Sign up for CBackup for free. Install the CBackup desktop app on your computer and log in.

Step 2. Click on Storage on the left menu, choose OneDrive, and hit Authorize Now to grant CBackup access to it. Repeat the step to add other OneDrive accounts to it.

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Tip: Tip: In addition to combining OneDrive accounts, you can also combine cloud accounts from different platforms, like merging OneDrive and Dropbox.

Step 3. Tap + Add Combined Cloud, and choose all cloud accounts you wish to merge, then hit Next > Combine.

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After that, you can upload files to the combined cloud by hitting Backup > Backup PC to Combined Cloud.

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Conclusion

You can use OneDrive Personal and Business on same computerusing the OneDrive desktop client or with the help of the third-party cloud manager tool - MultCloud. The latter can not only help you manage multiple OneDrive clouds at the same time but also migrate files between clouds without downloading and uploading.

If you want to merge all your OneDrive accounts for simple management, you can use the cloud backup tool, CBackup, to combine them into a single space.

How to Use OneDrive Personal and Business on Same Computer (2024)

FAQs

How to Use OneDrive Personal and Business on Same Computer? ›

Complete the setup wizard for your OneDrive Personal. Then, click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar, hit Help & Settings, and choose Settings. Step 3. Under the Account tab, tap on Add an account button to enter your Business account, and finish the setup.

Can I have 2 OneDrive accounts on the same computer? ›

If you already have an account signed in to OneDrive and you want to add or remove another account, you'll do that in OneDrive Settings. Important: You can have multiple work or school accounts, but only one Personal OneDrive account.

Can I have a work and personal OneDrive? ›

You can use OneDrive to sync both your work or school files and personal files to your OneDrive for home account. Your personal and work or school OneDrive storage remains separate.

How do I switch between personal and Business in OneDrive? ›

It is not feasible to merge or upgrade personal OneDrive to OneDrive for Business directly. Personal OneDrive is using a Microsoft Personal account, while OneDrive for Business is using a Work or School account. We can't upgrade a personal account to a work or school account.

Can I use OneDrive for Business for personal use? ›

Yes, absolutely. Organizations can choose storage space for their users. Microsoft offers a 50GB paid cloud service for each user. The regular Office 365 Business plan does not come with SharePoint, rather, it comes with OneDrive.

How do I switch OneDrive accounts on my computer? ›

Can I change the account I use with OneDrive?
  1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar. ...
  2. On the Account tab, select Unlink this PC.
  3. Restart OneDrive and sign in with the account you want to use.

Can 2 users on a single Windows PC share 1 OneDrive account with the same folder location? ›

Yes. If you both want the same OneDrive then you need to set up file sharing. To make it easy just put all files that you want to share into a single folder and share it with your wife. Be sure to give her editing permissions on that folder.

Is the OneDrive for Business account separate from your personal OneDrive account? ›

The two OneDrive systems are separate.

If you log in with your business account, you can't access files in your personal OneDrive, and vice versa.

Can my company see my personal OneDrive? ›

By default, only YOU can see OneDrive files

So, nothing to worry about confidentiality and security.

What is difference between OneDrive and OneDrive personal? ›

You can store files on your local machine and store your files on the cloud, in which OneDrive you have all permission related sharing data, read, write permission, and all control by you. In OneDrive Personal You can sync your files with your computer using the OneDrive Desktop App.

How do I separate my personal and Business Microsoft account? ›

The simplest way I know of is to create 2 "Microsoft Accounts on the computer. Use your separate work/personal email account/password for the 2 accounts. That way the files for the 2 uses are kept completely separate. It is easy enough to swap between the 2 accounts.

How do I merge my personal and Business Microsoft account? ›

For security reasons, it's not possible to merge or combine Microsoft accounts, nor can you transfer such things as your game progress or gamertag, account purchases and balance from one account to another. Microsoft personal accounts and Microsoft 365 work or school accounts can be used side by side.

How do I stop OneDrive from backing up for Business? ›

To stop backing up a folder, select the toggle for the folder to turn it off. A confirmation dialog will appear presenting some options: Continue backing up this folder will keep the folder being backed up. OneDrive only will keep the files in your OneDrive folder, and they won't be in your computer's folder.

What are limitations for OneDrive for Business? ›

The default storage limit is normally 1024 GB (1 TB), but admins can increase it.

Does OneDrive for Business store files locally? ›

When you open an online-only file, it downloads to your device and becomes a locally available file. You can open a locally available file anytime, even without Internet access. If you need more space, you can change the file back to online only.

Why can't I access my personal OneDrive? ›

View the full steps

If you can sign in to OneDrive online, but not on your computer, check for updates. If your computer is up to date, reset OneDrive. Resetting Microsoft OneDrive can sometimes resolve sync issues and resets all OneDrive settings. OneDrive will perform a full sync after the reset.

How to have two separate Microsoft accounts on one computer? ›

Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Other users (in some Windows editions, it may be labeled as Other people or Family & other users). Under Work or school users > Add a work or school account, select Add account. Enter that person's user account, select the account type, and then select Add.

How do I switch between Microsoft accounts on my computer? ›

Select Start , select and hold (or right-click) the account name icon (or picture), then select Switch user. Select the Start button on the taskbar. Then, on the left side of the Start menu, select the account name icon (or picture), then select a different user to switch to their account.

Is my OneDrive account the same as my Microsoft account? ›

A Microsoft account is an email address and password that you use with Outlook.com, Hotmail, Office, OneDrive, Skype, Xbox, and Windows.

Can I share my OneDrive with my wife? ›

Note: Family and group sharing is included in all free and paid OneDrive for home (personal and family) plans on OneDrive for the web. This feature is not available for OneDrive for work or school accounts. OneDrive makes it easier to stay connected with your family members, or groups that you've created in Outlook.

How do I keep files on my computer but not OneDrive? ›

Go to PC Settings, using the PC Settings tile in the Start menu, or swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings, and then select Change PC settings. Under PC settings, select OneDrive. On the File Storage tab, turn off the switch at Save documents to OneDrive by default.

How do I choose which folders to sync OneDrive? ›

On your work computer, right click the blue cloud OneDrive icon on the Taskbar Tray, and then click Settings> click the Account tab> choose Folders link. Check the folders you would like to automatically update between your devices and then click OK.

Can I have a personal and Business Office 365? ›

In some cases, a single Microsoft 365 plan will suit all your needs, but there might be instances when having both plans is the correct decision for you. For example, you may want to keep your personal files, photos, and other documents separate from your business, having two plans will allow you to do this.

Is OneDrive for Business private by default? ›

Also, in Teams, any document you upload to Teams is available to the entire Team by default, whereas documents you upload to OneDrive are private by default.

Why should I use OneDrive for Business? ›

All files that you store in OneDrive are private unless you decide to share them. You can share files and folders with co-workers so you can collaborate on projects. If you're signed-in to Microsoft 365, you may even be able to share with partners outside of your organization, depending on what your company allows.

Can my employer see if I copy files to OneDrive? ›

No that's not possible your employees won't be able to see the things which you move between your pc and onedrive unless you make any changes to the files in onedrive and everything else like moving and copying is not visible to other. Hope this information is useful.

Can my administrator see if I download files from OneDrive? ›

For example, if you save your files in OneDrive for business or SharePoint Online, Office 365 administrators can check the activity via audit log and check your files via Office 365 admin center.

Can my boss see my files? ›

With the help of employee monitoring software, employers can view every file you access, every website you browse and even every email you've sent. Deleting a few files and clearing your browser history does not keep your work computer from revealing your internet activity.

What are two disadvantages of OneDrive? ›

The disadvantages of OneDrive are limited sharing options, limited file management and desktop synchronise settings. Limited Sharing Options: OneDrive's sharing options are limited compared to other cloud storage services, making it difficult to share files with non-Microsoft users.

Why do I have a personal OneDrive? ›

OneDrive supports work and personal use integration. As such, you can easily set up and alternate between work and private files seamlessly by setting up and switching between your personal and professional accounts. The interface also enables easy navigation of team files.

Do you need Office 365 to use OneDrive? ›

Can you get OneDrive without Office 365? You can purchase standalone versions of OneDrive, as well as additional OneDrive storage, without having to buy Office 365. There are also several free Office 365 options, if you're interested in trying out the productivity suite without paying.

Can I separate my business page from my personal account? ›

Yes. Your personal Facebook account and Facebook Business Page aren't connected on Facebook, and won't be publicly listed on each other. You need a personal account to create and manage a Facebook Business Page, but you could always create a separate personal profile with your work email address if desired.

Can I have two Office 365 accounts on one computer? ›

Creating a New User Login in Windows

Another option for having multiple accounts sharing one machine is to create a new user login for each person using the machine. This means that all files, browser favorites, desktop settings, and profiles will remain separate.

How do I separate work and personal on my computer? ›

Open Settings and choose 'Family and Other Users' Under Other Users click the option that says 'Add someone else to this PC' You will be prompted to sign in to a Microsoft account, but if you don't have another one choose 'I don't have this person sign-in information' and then 'Add a user without a Microsoft account'

Can I use 2 accounts for Microsoft Office? ›

At one time, to switch Office 365 accounts, you'd have to sign out, but Microsoft has taken steps to simplify things. Now, you can move between accounts by simply clicking on your profile in the upper-right corner. You can even run multiple accounts side by side, as long as you're in different applications.

How do I log into two Microsoft accounts at the same time? ›

To add an account, tap your username and then Add account. Then just follow the prompts to add another account. Once added, you'll be able to see all of your accounts by tapping your username.

Can you have multiple Microsoft Office accounts? ›

You can install Microsoft 365 on all your devices and be signed in to five devices at a time. Whether you stay with the same subscription or switch to a different subscription, your online storage capacity per user doesn't change.

Does deleting something from OneDrive delete from computer? ›

OneDrive uses two-way sync to sync files between OneDrive and the devices, so if you delete files from OneDrive, these files will be also deleted on the connected devices, like Windows computer, Mac, Android, iPhone/iPad, etc.

How do I silently install OneDrive for Business? ›

If you run the command with the /silent parameter, OneDrive.exe will be installed transparently and OneDrive Setup won't appear. You'll need to run OneDrive.exe with an additional command. If you want to control the launch of OneDrive across your organization, we recommend using the /silent parameter.

Why can't i delete a folder in OneDrive for Business? ›

Can't Delete a OneDrive File or Folder? Here's What to Do
  • Make Sure the File Is Closed First. ...
  • Check Your File and Folder's Permissions. ...
  • Try Deleting the File From Another Device. ...
  • Rename or Move the File or Folder. ...
  • Pause OneDrive Sync. ...
  • Turn Off Files on Demand. ...
  • Reset OneDrive. ...
  • Delete the File Permanently.
Jun 1, 2022

Can I use OneDrive personal and Business at the same time? ›

You can use OneDrive Personal and Business on same computer using the OneDrive desktop client or with the help of the third-party cloud manager tool - MultCloud. The latter can not only help you manage multiple OneDrive clouds at the same time but also migrate files between clouds without downloading and uploading.

How do I get 1TB OneDrive for free? ›

Subscribe to Office/Microsoft 365. As mentioned above, once you subscribe to Office 365, you can have 1TB or even 2TB of OneDrive available storage space. If you need to use Office applications frequently, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, this method will be very suitable for you.

What are the limitations on personal OneDrive? ›

File upload and download sizes
MaximumUploadDownload
Sync250GB250GB
Individual files250GB250GB
Files within a zip20GB20GB

What is the difference between OneDrive desktop and OneDrive for Business? ›

To sum things up, OneDrive is best for personal storage, providing individuals with easy, secure, and quick access anytime, anywhere. OneDrive for Business, when used with SharePoint, syncs data across different devices, provides corporate access, co-author files, and allows users to work at home or on the road.

How do I sync my local folder with OneDrive for Business? ›

Sync OneDrive to your computer
  1. Select Start, type OneDrive, and then select OneDrive.
  2. Sign in to OneDrive with the account you want to sync and finish setting up. Your OneDrive files will start syncing to your computer.

Do I have OneDrive or OneDrive for Business? ›

On the menu bar at the top of the screen, select the cloud icon. A blue cloud icon will open OneDrive for work or school, and a white cloud icon will open OneDrive for home. Select Help & Settings > Preferences.

How do I get OneDrive personal to run on my computer? ›

If you have no accounts signed in to OneDrive
  1. Select the Start button, search for “OneDrive”, and then open it: In Windows 10, select OneDrive. In Windows 7, under Programs, select Microsoft OneDrive. ...
  2. When OneDrive Setup starts, enter your personal account, or your work or school account, and select Sign in.

Can I save to OneDrive and my computer at the same time? ›

The OneDrive app built in to Windows synchronizes your files between your computer and OneDrive so they're backed up, protected, and available on any device. Tip: You can use Files On-Demand to free up space or to make sure files or folders are always available on your device, even when you're offline.

Where has my personal OneDrive gone? ›

If you have a lot of icons on the Taskbar or the System Tray, some icons will be hidden. So if you find the OneDrive has missed from the Taskbar, check whether it is hidden firstly. Then just click the upward arrow-like icon the Taskbar and check whether the OneDrive icon is here.

How do I share OneDrive between two accounts? ›

Share with specific people
  1. Go to the OneDrive website and sign in with your Microsoft account or your work or school account.
  2. Pick the files or folders you want to share by selecting its circle icon. ...
  3. Select Share. ...
  4. Under Send Link, select Anyone with the link can edit to open the link settings.

How do I add a second OneDrive account to my Mac? ›

Here is how to set-up your 2nd and Personal OneDrive account on Mac.
  1. Right-click the OneDrive overlapping clouds icon in the upper right of your computer display.
  2. Click the gear icon.
  3. Click "Preferences."
  4. Click the "Add an Account" button under the "Account" tab.

Can you have two OneDrive accounts on the same Mac? ›

Whether you're in Windows or on Mac, you can operate multiple OneDrive accounts on the same device using the OneDrive desktop app.

Why do I have 2 OneDrive folders? ›

This is not normal. One folder is named "OneDrive - Company" It syncs. The other folder is just named "OneDrive". When clicked, a new File Explorer window opens, opens to the OneDrive - Company folder.

Can my employer see my OneDrive files? ›

If the boss and the admins are not in the same tenant of yours, they will not have the permission to access your OneDrive for Business. But it's still not a good choice to save your personal files in OneDrive for Business.

What is the difference between OneDrive and SharePoint? ›

While OneDrive and SharePoint both provide an online space to access files, their broader use is what separates them. SharePoint is predominantly an online document management system and communication site. OneDrive is a cloud storage solution that people mainly use to create an online backup of their files.

Can I add a second account to my Mac? ›

Add a user or group on Mac
  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Users & Groups in the sidebar. ...
  2. Click the Add Account button below the list of users on the right (you may be asked to enter your password.)
  3. Click the New Account pop-up menu, then choose a type of user.

How do I Create a OneDrive account for my business? ›

If you are already logged in you will need to add your OneDrive for Business account separately by going to Settings > Add account > Add Storage Account > OneDrive for Business and entering your credentials.

Why won't OneDrive work on my Mac? ›

Restart OneDrive. Select the OneDrive icon on the menu bar, then select Quit OneDrive. Use Spotlight to search for OneDrive and reopen it. Update the OneDrive sync app for Mac.

Why are all my computer files on OneDrive? ›

The OneDrive app built in to Windows synchronizes your files between your computer and OneDrive so they're backed up, protected, and available on any device. Tip: You can use Files On-Demand to free up space or to make sure files or folders are always available on your device, even when you're offline.

Why are all my files under OneDrive? ›

In Windows 10, OneDrive is the default save location for your files and documents. This means new documents or files are automatically saved to OneDrive unless you opt to save them to a different location on your PC.

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