How do I use two Microsoft accounts simultaneously /side-by-side on the same computer? - Microsoft Q&A (2024)

2023-10-23T12:41:03.6733333+00:00

I am a photographer; I have 2 Microsoft accounts; one that I use for personal 'stuff' and one that I use for my very small (just me) photography business.

I have both personal and business photos and files stored in OneDrive on both accounts and both accounts have separate user IDs stored on my Windows 11 (Home version) computer. I need to be able to use both accounts and OneDrives at the same time (i.e., side by side) without having to 'switch' accounts on my computer.

Is this possible? If so, how do I do that?

thanks

TK Arno

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1. 

   Q&A Assist

   2023-10-23T12:41:03.6766667+00:00

   AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

   To use two Microsoft accounts simultaneously on the same computer, you can add both accounts to the Windows 11 Mail and Calendar app. This will allow you to access both accounts' emails, calendars, and contacts side-by-side without having to switch accounts. However, it is not possible to use both OneDrive accounts side-by-side in File Explorer without switching accounts. OneDrive can only be signed in to one account at a time in File Explorer.

   To add both Microsoft accounts to the Mail and Calendar app on Windows 11, follow these steps:

   1. Open the Mail and Calendar app.
   2. Click on the gear icon in the bottom left corner to open Settings.
   3. Click on "Manage accounts" and then "Add account".
   4. Follow the prompts to sign in to your second Microsoft account.
   5. Once both accounts are added, you can switch between them by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner and selecting the account you want to use.

   References:

   • Using Multiple Accounts for the Same Profile on Outlook

   1. 

      Nicholas Hew 0Reputation points

      2023-12-11T08:45:49.9333333+00:00

      If we cannot have 2 OneDrive account at the same time, then what is the purpose of OneDrive App that have settings to asks us if we want to add an account, like after we had already sign in one Microsoft account to the OneDrive App?

   2. 

      Chris S 0Reputation points

      2024-07-03T02:01:30.3833333+00:00

      I don't agree with the AI generated answer above. I have THREE OneDrive installations on my computer (W-11 Home). Now, two of them are MS Office 'Business' accounts, so maybe the restriction applies to 'personal' accounts. But anyway, I have three concurrent OneDrive setups working just fine. Here's a screenshot - the two blue 'cloud' icons are one-drive for business, and the gray 'cloud' icon is for one-drive personal.

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