Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Stop OneNote from Opening an Old Microsoft 365 Account

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent OneNote from automatically logging into an outdated or unwanted Microsoft 365 account so they can sign in with their current credentials.

How to Stop OneNote from Opening an Old Microsoft 365 Account

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Switching accounts or signing into a new Microsoft 365 account in OneNote.
Observed behavior: OneNote continuously attempts to use an outdated Office account because the old Microsoft 365 login credentials remain permanently cached in the Windows system.

Before you start

Make sure you have your current work or personal Microsoft 365 email and password ready, as you will need to sign back into your Office applications after clearing the old credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Old Office Credentials via Windows Credential Manager

Clear out the cached Microsoft 365 login data from Windows to force OneNote and other Office apps to prompt for a new account.

Windows automatically saves login credentials to make signing in faster. However, when you change accounts, Windows might hold onto the old Microsoft 365 credentials, causing OneNote to get stuck in a login loop or default to the old account. Deleting these cached entries will resolve the conflict.

Close All Office Applications

Fully exit OneNote, Word, Excel, Outlook, and any other Microsoft Office applications currently running on your computer.

Open Credential Manager

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Credential Manager' into the search bar, and press Enter. Alternatively, navigate to Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager.

Locate Stored Credentials

Click on 'Windows Credentials'. Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section and look for any items labeled with 'MicrosoftOffice' or 'Office 365'.

Remove Old Entries

Click the downward arrow next to the outdated credential entries to expand them, then click 'Remove' and confirm the deletion. Repeat this for all relevant Microsoft Office entries.

Restart and Sign In

Reopen OneNote. The application will no longer remember the old account and will prompt you to enter your new Microsoft 365 account details.

Remove Old Office Credentials via Windows Credential Manager

Credential Reset Successful: Clearing these credentials resets the login state across all your Office applications, meaning you may also need to sign back into Word or Excel.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Productivity Experience

If you are tired of dealing with persistent Microsoft 365 account login loops and complex credential management, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, without forcing complicated account sync requirements on you.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the suite on your Windows PC.
3. Open Your Files Seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files without worrying about account login issues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Lightweight architecture that avoids frustrating cached credential conflicts.Free to use with a familiar, user-friendly tabbed interface.Does not strictly require an active cloud login just to edit local files.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing credentials in Credential Manager delete my OneNote notebooks?

No. Removing credentials only clears the stored login information from your computer's memory. Your OneNote notebooks are safely stored on your local drive or OneDrive and will not be deleted.

Why does OneNote keep asking for an old work or school account?

This happens when an old organizational account is still connected at the Windows system level. You can resolve this by going to Windows Settings > Accounts > Access work or school, selecting the old account, and clicking 'Disconnect'.

Do I need to clear credentials for Word and Excel separately?

No, Microsoft Office applications share the same centralized login credentials in Windows. Clearing the Office entries from the Credential Manager will reset the login state for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote all at once.

Login & Account Issues