OneDrive File Issues

How to Prevent OneDrive Recent Files from Appearing for Another Windows User

Maira Mehtab Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent their personal OneDrive recent files from being visible in the File Explorer Home of another user sharing the same Windows computer.

How to Prevent OneDrive Recent Files from Appearing for Another Windows User

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Multiple Microsoft 365 accounts or Windows user profiles are configured on a single computer, causing document histories to overlap.
Observed behavior: File Explorer Home incorrectly displays recent files originating from another user's private OneDrive storage.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the correct Windows 11 user profile and have the credentials ready for your specific Microsoft account.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink and Reconfigure Incorrect OneDrive Accounts

Isolate the OneDrive storage by signing out of the incorrect Microsoft account and ensuring each Windows profile only syncs its own files.

When multiple Microsoft accounts are signed in on the same Windows profile, Office applications and File Explorer may pull recent files from all connected accounts. Unlinking the shared account ensures that only explicitly shared files are accessible.

Unlink the incorrect account

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows taskbar, click the gear icon to open Settings, navigate to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Remove the account from Windows settings

Open Windows Settings, go to 'Accounts', select 'Email & accounts', locate the other user's Microsoft account, and select 'Remove' to prevent Office apps from syncing their recent files.

Sign in with the correct credentials

Open OneDrive again from the Start menu and sign in using only the Microsoft account credentials that belong to the current Windows user.

Unlink and Reconfigure Incorrect OneDrive Accounts

Privacy Restored: Once unlinked, the other user's private OneDrive files will no longer populate your File Explorer Home.

Solution 2

Clear File Explorer Recent Files History

Clear the local cache of recent files in File Explorer to remove any remaining shortcuts to the other user's documents.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Keep Your Local and Cloud Files Private

Dealing with overlapping Microsoft 365 accounts can compromise your file privacy. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative that offers robust local document management without forcing complicated cloud synchronizations across multiple user profiles.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the brief setup prompts to complete the installation.
3. Manage documents securely: Open WPS Office to securely create, edit, and save your documents directly to your private local folders.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Keep your recent files private without forced background cloud account mixing.Lightweight application that uses significantly fewer system resources than Microsoft 365.Free to use with a familiar tabbed user interface, ensuring a seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my OneDrive storage automatically shared with other Microsoft 365 Family members?

No. Even if you share a Microsoft 365 Family plan (which supports up to six people with up to 1 TB of storage per person), OneDrive storage is completely private. Files are only visible to other users if you explicitly choose to share them.

Why does Windows ask for a PIN or biometric prompt when accessing files?

A PIN or biometric prompt (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) usually indicates that Windows is requesting passkey authentication for added security. It does not mean your OneDrive storage is being shared with other users on the device.

Can I use multiple personal OneDrive accounts on the same Windows profile?

Windows natively allows linking one personal OneDrive account and one work or school OneDrive account to a single Windows profile. You cannot link two different personal OneDrive accounts simultaneously on the same user profile.

Document & File Issues