OneDrive File Issues

How to Use One OneDrive Account on Two Computers Simultaneously

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to sign in to the same OneDrive account concurrently on a Mac and a Windows PC but is blocked by an error message.

How to Use OneDrive on Two Computers at the Same Time

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Mac and Windows PC
Scenario: Synchronizing documents and files across multiple personal computers using a single cloud storage account.
Observed behavior: The system displays an error message stating that the account is already signed in elsewhere, preventing simultaneous device access.

Before you start

Ensure you have your correct Microsoft account credentials handy and verify that both computers have a stable internet connection before unlinking and reconfiguring your sync settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink and Reconfigure OneDrive on Both Computers

By signing out (unlinking) and signing back into your account on both devices, you can clear credential conflicts and manually select the folders you want to sync.

OneDrive fully supports simultaneous sign-ins across multiple devices. The 'already signed in elsewhere' error is typically caused by a cached credential conflict or an outdated session token. Resetting the connection on both the Mac and Windows PC will resolve this.

Unlink the Mac computer

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac's Menu bar, click the Settings (gear) icon, navigate to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this Mac'.

Unlink the Windows PC

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows system tray, select the Settings (gear) icon, go to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Sign back in on both devices

Launch the OneDrive application on both the Mac and the Windows PC, and sign in again using your primary Microsoft account credentials.

Select folders to sync

During the setup process on each device, look for the 'Choose folders' option. Select the specific folders you want to be synchronized locally on that respective computer to optimize storage and avoid conflicts.

Unlink and Reconfigure OneDrive on Both Computers

Synchronization Restored: You can now seamlessly access, edit, and synchronize your files from either the Mac or Windows PC simultaneously using the exact same OneDrive account.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Seamlessly Edit Your Cloud Files with WPS Office

While troubleshooting your OneDrive desktop client, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, feature-rich office suite that allows you to easily connect and edit documents directly from your cloud drives across multiple devices.

1. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office desktop application on your computer.
2. Access Cloud Storage: Click on 'Open' in the left sidebar and select 'Add Cloud Storage' to connect your preferred cloud drive.
3. Edit and Save: Open your synchronized documents, edit them seamlessly, and save changes directly back to the cloud.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Built-in cloud integration allows you to easily manage and sync documents across Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.Lightweight installation ensures fast launch times without draining system resources.Offers a familiar tabbed interface for a seamless migration from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose different folders to sync on my Mac compared to my Windows PC?

Yes. When you set up OneDrive on each computer, you can customize your sync settings. Go to OneDrive Settings > Account > Choose folders to select specific folders you want available locally on that particular device.

Will editing a synced file on one computer instantly update it on the other?

Yes, as long as both your Mac and Windows PC are connected to the internet and signed into the same OneDrive account, any changes saved on one device will automatically sync to the cloud and update on the other.

Is there a limit to how many computers I can sign into with one OneDrive account?

There is no strict limit on the number of personal devices you can sign into simultaneously with a single OneDrive account. However, best practices suggest only syncing the files you need locally on each device to conserve hard drive space.

Document & File Issues