OneDrive File Issues

How to Remove Another Account's Files and Suggestions from OneDrive

Amos Gikunda Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove files and file suggestions belonging to a secondary Microsoft account from their personal OneDrive and File Explorer.

How to Remove Another Account's Files and Suggestions from OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Logging into Microsoft Teams using a different or secondary Microsoft account.
Observed behavior: Files from the secondary Microsoft account automatically appear in File Explorer and OneDrive suggestions without the user's explicit permission.

Before you start

Before unlinking accounts or modifying credentials, ensure that you know the login details for your primary Microsoft account and that all your necessary local files are safely backed up.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink the Account and Clear Windows Credentials

Use this method to disconnect the unwanted account from your PC's OneDrive and remove its saved login tokens from the Windows system.

When you log into an app like Microsoft Teams, Windows may save the credentials globally and automatically link that account to your local OneDrive.

Clearing these credentials will stop the automatic syncing and remove the associated file suggestions.

Unlink this PC from OneDrive

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows taskbar, select the Settings (gear) icon, and navigate to the Account tab. Click on 'Unlink this PC' to stop the current sync.

Open Windows Credential Manager

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Control Panel', and press Enter. Go to User Accounts, click on Credential Manager, and select 'Windows Credentials'.

Remove saved account credentials

Scroll down the list and look for saved credentials related to Microsoft Office, OneDrive, and Teams. Click on the entries belonging to the other account and select 'Remove'.

Clean up leftover local folders

Open File Explorer and look for any remaining OneDrive folders associated with the secondary account. You can delete these folders to remove the files locally, but double-check that you do not delete any files you still need.

Unlink the Account and Clear Windows Credentials

Data Safety: Unlinking an account from your PC does not delete the files from the cloud. They will remain safely stored in the secondary account's online OneDrive storage.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Clean and Independent Workspace

If managing multiple Microsoft accounts causes frustrating syncing issues in Windows, consider using WPS Office. It provides a completely free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to manage your documents locally or through independent cloud storage without unexpected account conflicts.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your device.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open your files safely: Double-click any existing document, spreadsheet, or presentation to open and edit it in WPS Office without worrying about automatic account syncing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Independent cloud storage options prevent unwanted mixing of different accounts and files.Lightweight application that runs smoothly without overloading your system.Familiar and intuitive user interface makes migration seamless for Microsoft Office users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did files from another account appear after I used Microsoft Teams?

When you sign into a Microsoft application like Teams, Windows often prompts you to 'Allow my organization to manage my device'. Accepting this or signing in globally saves the account credentials to your system, which automatically connects that account to other services like OneDrive.

Will clearing Windows Credentials delete my personal data?

No. Clearing Windows Credentials only removes the saved login tokens and passwords for that specific account. Your personal files, documents, and browsing data remain completely unaffected.

How can I prevent this from happening again in the future?

When signing into a Microsoft app with a secondary account, look for the 'Stay signed in to all your apps' prompt. Uncheck the option that says 'Allow my organization to manage my device' and click 'No, sign in to this app only'.

Document & File Issues