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how do i move files between two onedrive accounts

Matthew Berry 0 Reputation points
2026-03-12T12:41:47.5266667+00:00

How do i move files between two different OneDrive accounts?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Windows
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  1. EmilyS726 241.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-03-12T13:19:53.5166667+00:00

    There are a few ways to do this, and the best option depends on the type of accounts involved and how many files you need to share.

    How many files are you planning to move or share?

    If it is only a small number, the easiest method is usually to download them manually from OneDrive on one account at www.onedrive.com, then sign in to the other account and upload them through OneDrive online there.

    If it involves a lot of files -

    If one account is personal and the other is work/school account, it is best to install the OneDrive desktop app. In the OneDrive settings, you can go to account tab and add another account. You can run two OneDrive app instances side by side, gray cloud for personal and blue cloud for work/school. In File Explorer, you can move files from OneDrive - personal folder to OneDrive - business folder.

    If both accounts are work/school accounts, above method also applies.. and you will have two blue cloud icons on taskbar. Two business folders in File Explorer and you can move files between.

    If both accounts are personal, you cannot run two OneDrive instances. You will have to right click on the files you want to move, use "always keep on this device". Wait for them to download - turn solid green for the status icon. Then in OneDrive settings > accounts > unlink this PC, relaunch OneDrive, sign into the other personal account to allow the files to sync to the other personal account.

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  2. Supriya Gupta 10 Reputation points
    2026-03-12T12:58:37.56+00:00

    The easiest way to move files between two Microsoft OneDrive accounts is to download the files from the first account to your device, then upload them to the second account. Another option is to share the folder from the first account with the second account and copy the files inside the second account’s OneDrive.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-03-12T12:42:04.7666667+00:00

    To move or copy files between two different OneDrive accounts (for example, personal and work/school), use sync plus File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac):

    1. Sync both OneDrive accounts to the same computer
      • Set up OneDrive for each account so both appear as separate folders on the PC/Mac.
      • For moving between home and work/school OneDrive, follow Sync files with OneDrive in Windows from the article steps.
    2. Open both OneDrive folders locally
      • On Windows, open File Explorer and locate both OneDrive folders (e.g., “OneDrive – Personal” and “OneDrive – YourOrg”).
      • On Mac, open Finder and locate the corresponding OneDrive folders.
    3. Copy or move the files
      • Select the files/folders in the source OneDrive folder.
      • Use Copy and Paste into the destination OneDrive folder.
        • Copy/paste is recommended instead of drag/drop because it is less error‑prone.
      • Alternatively, drag files between the two synced OneDrive folders if preferred.
    4. Let OneDrive sync
      • OneDrive will upload the copied/moved files from the local folders to each respective cloud account.

    Notes:

    • When copying from OneDrive for work or school to a personal OneDrive, the copied files are treated as new items and do not retain metadata such as “Date created” or “Modified By”.
    • If any of the files were shared in the original account, sharing must be reconfigured after copying to the new account.
    • If you only need to move a few files and both accounts are available in the browser, you can also download from one account and upload to the other, but for many files the sync + File Explorer/Finder method is recommended.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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