Setting Up Two OneDrive Accounts on One PC for Multiple Users

Question

Setting Up Two OneDrive Accounts on One PC for Multiple Users

BurningSoul 0

How can access be arranged via OneDrive for two users sharing the same PCs, allowing them to seamlessly work on documents across different locations?

The scenario involves User 1 creating a document on PC 1, saving it in the OneDrive folder, and then needing to access and edit the document from a different building in the company from PC 2.

Both users have Office 365 subscriptions, and the Office apps are installed on the desktops. What steps are necessary to enable this functionality?

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Answer 1

Vicky-I 935 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello @BurningSoul,
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Q&A!

Just to make sure, you're looking to enable seamless document access and editing across multiple locations using two OneDrive for Business accounts on a single PC. Here my suggestions:

Option 1: Separate Windows User Accounts

This ensures each user’s OneDrive data is isolated and secure.

Create separate Windows user accounts for each user on the shared PC.
Each user signs into their Windows account and sets up OneDrive for Business using their Microsoft 365 credentials.
Files saved in OneDrive will automatically sync across any device where the same account is signed in.

Learn more: Manage User Accounts in Windows

Option 2: Add Multiple OneDrive for Business Accounts

You can add more than one work/school account to OneDrive on the same PC.

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
Go to Help & Settings → Settings → Account tab.
Click Add an account, then sign in with the second Microsoft 365 account.
A new OneDrive folder will appear in File Explorer for the second account.

Learn more: How to add an account in OneDrive

Option 3: Use a Shared Library (Team Collaboration)

Ideal for collaborative work across locations.

Create a shared library in OneDrive for Business or SharePoint.
Add both users as members.
Files saved in the shared library are accessible to all members from any device.

Learn more: Create a new shared library from OneDrive for work or school

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BurningSoul 0 Reputation points

2025-08-08T11:56:10.12+00:00

Hello,

I tried to add second account in Windows, but it keeps to tell that this account doesn’t exist.

I created one user with email address onmicrosoft as main/admin user. Then I created in ms admin centre another several accounts to manage access to shared data files. When trying to log with those accounts in windows in order to create account it says account doesn’t exist even though I managed to login to office365 interface and upload files on sharepoint website (this should be accessible via OneDrive).
Vicky-I 935 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-08T14:19:18.99+00:00
Hello @BurningSoul,

The reason you see “account doesn’t exist” in Windows is because Windows sign-in expects either:

A personal Microsoft account (e.g., @outlook.com), or

A work/school account joined to Azure Active Directory (Entra ID).

The accounts you created in Microsoft 365 Admin Center are work accounts in Azure AD, so they won’t work if you try to add them under “Add a Microsoft account” in Windows. To fix it:

1/ Create a Windows user account for each person on the shared PC and join the PC to Azure Active Directory:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > Connect.

Select Join this device to Azure Active Directory.

Sign in with the Microsoft 365 credentials.

2/ If you only need OneDrive/Office access, not full Windows login):

Keep the current Windows account.

Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > Connect and link the Microsoft 365 account.

Then sign in to OneDrive with that account to sync files.

Important: Adding these accounts under “Microsoft account” will not work because they are not personal accounts.
Best Regards.
BurningSoul 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T05:57:09.8566667+00:00

lets narrow it down to option 1 only.

a) i should create for both users windows user account - this generates additional two accounts need to be created, since i am not allowed to create local account. Or is there workaround for this? In which settings/accounts should I go? in ms admin centre?

b) if i succesfully solve this, how does it work in praxis? I have two separate accounts (both able to log in on two PCs). both users have assigned valid office licence (word, excel, etc). When they log in on pc, would all apps already logged in, without need to login in ms 365?

c) is it possible to create mobile windows user account meaning that desktop arrangement, wallpaper and windows settings travel across those two pcs without need to set it up again on second pc?
Vicky-I 935 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-11T09:06:57.2966667+00:00
Hello @BurningSoul,
First, let me answer your 3 questions:

a. Unable to create a local account

If you're not allowed to create a local Windows account, you can create a Windows user account via Azure Active Directory:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > Connect

Select Join this device to Azure Active Directory

Sign in using the Microsoft 365 credentials assigned in the Admin Center.

This will create a Windows login for each user, allowing them to use OneDrive independently.

b. Do Office apps auto-login after signing into Windows?

No. After signing into Windows with a Microsoft 365 account, users must manually sign in to each Office app (Word, Excel, etc.) the first time. After that, credentials are saved and reused automatically.

c. Can roaming user accounts sync desktop settings across PCs?

Yes, if the PCs are domain-joined or Azure AD-joined. Roaming profiles allow desktop settings, wallpapers, and Windows configurations to sync across devices.

In the meantime, please check the following points because other users have encountered the same error:

The account being added is a guest user and hasn’t been properly added to the tenant.

The account hasn’t been added as an external user in Azure AD.

The user is accessing via incognito mode or hasn’t signed in with the correct account.

And, to assist you better, please send a screenshot of the error via private message so I can help you pinpoint the issue and guide you through the fix.

Here how to check my private message:

Best Regards.

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Setting Up Two OneDrive Accounts on One PC for Multiple Users

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