OneDrive File Issues

How to Stop OneDrive from Downloading Files for a Second Account

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to stop OneDrive from syncing and downloading folders for a secondary Microsoft account on a shared computer without losing access to that account's email.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Using two personal Microsoft accounts on a single computer where the second account has limited storage (5 GB) and is primarily used for email.
Observed behavior: OneDrive automatically syncs and downloads the Pictures folder for both accounts, causing unexpected behavior and consuming the second account's limited cloud storage.

Before you start

Before making changes to your OneDrive account linking, ensure that any files currently syncing on your primary account have completed their upload to avoid data conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink the Second Account from OneDrive

Disconnecting the secondary account prevents OneDrive from downloading its files while still allowing you full access to its email and web services.

Running multiple personal OneDrive clients simultaneously on the same computer is not intended and can cause unexpected behavior. Unlinking the account that is only used for email will resolve the storage conflict.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click on the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Windows system tray or Mac menu bar, then click the Help & Settings gear icon and select Settings.

Navigate to the Account Tab

In the Settings window, click on the Account tab on the left sidebar to view all Microsoft accounts currently linked to this device.

Unlink the Secondary Account

Locate the second account (account B) and click the 'Unlink this PC' link. Confirm your choice when prompted.

Email Access Remains Unaffected: Unlinking an account from OneDrive does not disable the Microsoft account itself, nor does it affect your ability to check its email through a browser or an email client.

Solution 2

Change the Folder Location for the Second Account

If you absolutely must keep the second account linked for specific sync purposes, assign it a completely separate local folder to avoid data overlap.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will unlinking my OneDrive account delete my files from the cloud?

No. Unlinking your PC from OneDrive only stops the synchronization process on that specific device. Your files will remain safely stored online in your Microsoft account.

Can I use two personal OneDrive accounts on the same computer?

Microsoft does not support running multiple personal OneDrive accounts simultaneously on the same user profile. You can, however, run one personal account alongside a school or business account.

How do I temporarily stop OneDrive from downloading files without unlinking?

You can pause syncing by clicking the OneDrive icon in the system tray, clicking the Help & Settings gear icon, selecting 'Pause syncing', and choosing a duration (e.g., 2, 8, or 24 hours).

Document & File Issues