How to set up multiple OneDrive accounts on one device

OneDrive supports using ten accounts on one device; albeit, they do not permit this without limitations. If you’re working for two or more organizations, it may be helpful to add several business accounts in addition to your standard personal account.

Below, I have provided a brief guide on how you can set up multiple OneDrive accounts on one device.

  1. Select the OneDrive icon in your taskbar
  2. Click “Help & Settings”
  3. Enter the “Account” tab
  4. Click “Add an account”
  5. Sign in with your account credentials

The following post will address the process wherein multiple OneDrive accounts are linked to your computer, to what extent account linking is limited, and how you can distinguish one OneDrive account from another.

Below, I have provided several links you can use to access relevant content quickly.

  1. How do I add an additional account to OneDrive
  2. Does OneDrive have an account limit
  3. How do I tell my OneDrive accounts apart
  4. Blog post recap

How do I add an additional account to OneDrive

Below is a comprehensive step-by-step guide meant to instruct you on linking multiple OneDrive accounts to your computer. If you get stuck, refer to the images provided for each step— they provide more significant visual clarity.

Step 1 — Access OneDrive’s help menu

On Windows, look to the bar at the bottom of your screen. You should be able to spot a blue or white cloud in your taskbar. The blue cloud is indicative of a OneDrive for Business account. In contrast, the white cloud is indicative of a OneDrive Personal account. You will find a black cloud in the taskbar on macOS, located at the top of your screen. Click your respective OneDrive icon and select “Help & Settings.”

Step 2 — Open OneDrive’s settings

Inconveniently, the help menu slightly differs between Windows and macOS; on Windows, select “Settings,” on macOS, select “Preferences.”

Step 3 — Add an account in the Account tab

At the top of the window, you will find the “Account” tab. Enter the Account tab and select “Add an account—” this will begin the sign-in process via an external window.

Step 4 — Sign in to the account

Now you need to sign in. You will require your account’s email, password, and (if you have them) any MFA-associated devices.

Does OneDrive have an account limit per device?

Yes: as I have stated previously, support for multiple account connections is not provided without limitations.

Account limitations overview

OneDrive Business (Windows)OneDrive Business (macOS)OneDrive Personal
A user may connect nine business accounts to their computer— a blue cloud in your taskbar represents each one.Like on Windows, a user may connect up to nine business accounts to their Mac; however, none of the accounts can be created by the same organization.Regardless of your platform, you will find that you can only connect a single OneDrive Personal account to your computer.

External/guest accounts have not been included because they cannot be synced by OneDrive.

How do I tell my OneDrive accounts apart

If you’re using several business accounts, you won’t be able to tell them apart instantly— this is far worse on Macs, where OneDrive Personal and OneDrive Business accounts share the same icon design. Fortunately, there are methods you can use to tell which OneDrive account is which.

Business and Personal accounts for OneDrive

OneDrive for Business and OneDrive Personal accounts are visually distinguishable from one another— provided you’re using Windows. Blue clouds are for business accounts, and white clouds are for personal accounts. Unfortunately, macOS’s OneDrive icons have no visual differences; the black cloud will be used for either account.

Are there any solutions

In your file explorer, OneDrives are suffixed with identifying information, such as their name, when viewed via the file explorer. You can use the Win/Start + E shortcut to open the Windows file explorer. On Mac, search for “Files” via spotlight search.

You can also hover over a OneDrive taskbar icon to reveal the respective drive’s name— this will work for any OneDrive account type.

Blog post recap

OneDrive allows you to use up to nine business accounts and one personal account on each device. Although you cannot easily tell business accounts apart, they noticeably differ from personal accounts— though this is not the case on macOS.

You may also be interested in our recent posts:

Jack Mitchell

Jack Mitchell has been the Operations manager at telecoms and MSP Optionbox for more than 4 years. He has played a crucial role in the company, from marketing to helpdesk, and ensures that the IT requirements of over 300 clients are continuously met. With his innate passion for technology and troubleshooting and a particular interest in Apple products, Jack now delivers the most comprehensive tech guides to make your life easier. You can connect with Jack on LinkedIn.

Recent Posts