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Does Installing Microsoft 365 Delete Your Work OneDrive Account on Mac?
Question details
The user wants to know if installing a personal version of Microsoft 365 on a Mac will delete, overwrite, or cause data loss in an already configured work or school OneDrive account.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Installing Microsoft 365 Personal alongside an existing corporate or school OneDrive setup.
- Observed behavior
- During installation, the OneDrive application may temporarily close, causing the local synced folder to temporarily disappear, which leads users to fear their data or account has been deleted.
Ensure all your current work files are fully synced to the OneDrive cloud to prevent any accidental data conflicts before beginning the Microsoft 365 installation process.
How to Safely Install Microsoft 365 Without Affecting Work OneDrive
Follow these steps to ensure your work or school OneDrive account and data remain completely intact during the Microsoft 365 Personal installation.
Installing Microsoft 365 Personal on your Mac will not delete your existing work or school OneDrive files. The installer simply needs to update system components, which sometimes requires closing the active OneDrive sync client temporarily.
If the Microsoft 365 installer prompts you to close OneDrive, accept the prompt to allow the installation to proceed smoothly.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing your new Microsoft 365 Personal package.
Click the Apple menu and select 'Restart' to ensure all newly installed background services are properly refreshed.
Open the OneDrive application from your Applications folder or Launchpad. Sign in using your work or school credentials if prompted.
Check the OneDrive icon in your Mac menu bar to confirm that your file synchronization has successfully resumed before making changes to any files.
Managing Personal and Work OneDrive Accounts Simultaneously
You can seamlessly run both a personal and a corporate OneDrive account on the exact same Mac without them interfering with each other.
Avoid Installation Conflicts with WPS Office for Mac
If you want to edit your documents without worrying about complicated installations, account conflicts, or hefty subscription fees, try WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office that works seamlessly on macOS and integrates perfectly with your existing local OneDrive folders.
- 1. Download the Mac Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the completely free macOS installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and easily drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files Directly: Launch WPS Office and directly browse to your local OneDrive folder to open and edit your work or personal documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my local files if the OneDrive folder disappears during installation?
No, you will not lose any data. The folder may temporarily disappear from your Finder sidebar because the Microsoft 365 installer closes the active OneDrive app. Your files remain safe in the cloud and locally, and the folder will automatically reappear once you relaunch OneDrive.
Can I have two personal OneDrive accounts logged in at the same time on Mac?
No. The OneDrive app for Mac only allows you to have two accounts open simultaneously if they are of different types: one must be a personal account and the other must be a corporate (work or school) account.
Do I need to uninstall my old Office version before installing Microsoft 365 Personal?
While it is not strictly required, it is highly recommended to completely remove older, unsupported versions of Microsoft Office from your Mac before installing Microsoft 365 to prevent software conflicts and ensure optimal performance.
