OneDrive File Issues

How to Separate Two OneDrive Accounts and Restore Missing Desktop Files

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to separate a former school OneDrive account from a newer personal account on a single computer, and wants to safely restore files that disappeared from the desktop view after unlinking.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Unlinking a former school OneDrive account while ensuring personal documents and photos are preserved locally.
Observed behavior: Files disappeared from the main desktop view immediately after unlinking OneDrive, even though they still exist inside the OneDrive Desktop folder.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have sufficient local storage space on your C: or D: drive to accommodate the files you plan to move out of your OneDrive folders.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore Missing Files from the OneDrive Desktop Folder

Use this method to retrieve files that disappeared from your computer screen when the desktop backup path was changed by unlinking OneDrive.

When OneDrive PC Folder Backup is active, it redirects your standard Desktop folder to a folder inside OneDrive. Unlinking the account restores the default local path, making the desktop appear empty until you manually move your files back.

Open File Explorer

Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer on your computer.

Navigate to the OneDrive Folder

Go to your user directory (usually located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\OneDrive) and look for the folder associated with the unlinked account.

Locate the Desktop Folder

Double-click the 'Desktop' folder inside the OneDrive directory. Here you will see all the files that previously appeared on your computer screen.

Move Files to the Local Desktop

Select all the files and folders you wish to restore, right-click and select 'Cut'. Navigate to your local Desktop folder (C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Desktop), right-click in an empty area, and select 'Paste'.

Desktop Restored: Your files should now be visible on your desktop screen and are safely stored on your local drive.

Solution 2

Secure Files from the Former School Account

Isolate your school-related and personal files by saving them to a local partition before the school account is fully deleted by the administrator.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Local Documents Efficiently with WPS Office

If you are transitioning away from a school-provided Microsoft account, WPS Office is an excellent free and lightweight alternative. It offers full format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, ensuring you can continue editing your locally saved documents without an active school subscription.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free version, and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your computer.
2. Set as Default Application: Set WPS Office as your default program to automatically open all your recovered Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.

Completely free and lightweight office suite for local document editing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Familiar user interface ensures a seamless transition with no learning curve.Work offline easily on your newly restored desktop documents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my files disappear from the desktop when I unlinked OneDrive?

When OneDrive backs up your desktop, it changes the default system path of your Desktop to the OneDrive folder. Unlinking stops this synchronization, reverting your screen to display the local Desktop folder, which is typically empty. Your files are still safe inside the OneDrive folder and just need to be moved back.

Can I keep both a personal and a school OneDrive account on the same PC?

Yes, you can run both simultaneously. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar, select the gear icon for Settings, navigate to the Account tab, and click 'Add an account'. You can sign in with your second set of credentials, creating two separate sync folders on your PC.

Will uninstalling OneDrive delete my local files?

No, uninstalling or unlinking the OneDrive app will not delete your files. The files that have already been synced or downloaded will remain locally in your OneDrive folder, though any future changes will no longer sync to the cloud.

How do I stop OneDrive from backing up my Desktop in the future?

Open OneDrive Settings, go to the 'Sync and back up' tab, click on 'Manage back up', and toggle off the switch for the Desktop folder. This ensures your desktop files remain strictly on your local hard drive.

Document & File Issues