How to Use the Same OneDrive After Upgrading Microsoft 365 Plans
Question details
The user needs to maintain access to their original OneDrive files after upgrading from Microsoft Apps for Business to Microsoft 365 Business Standard.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Upgrading a business plan subscription in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
- Observed behavior
- The upgrade resulted in separate user accounts, email addresses, and isolated OneDrive storage locations instead of seamlessly applying the new license to the existing account.
Ensure you have administrator access to the Microsoft 365 admin center and have credentials for both the original and newly created accounts before starting the file transfer.
Migrate OneDrive Files to the New Licensed Account
Since separate Microsoft 365 accounts cannot be merged, you must manually transfer your files from the original unlicensed account to the newly licensed one.
Two distinct Microsoft 365 accounts cannot be merged or bundled into one. If a new business email account was created separately during the upgrade, it cannot simply become an alias of the original @username.onmicrosoft.com account.
Sign in to your original Microsoft 365 account (e.g., Apps for Business) and open the original OneDrive location.
Select the files you wish to keep and download them locally to your computer, or use the OneDrive desktop client to sync the files locally.
Sign out of the original account, log in with the new Microsoft 365 Business Standard account, and upload or sync the previously downloaded files into the new OneDrive location.
Use the official Microsoft Power Automate template specifically designed for copying files between different OneDrive accounts or folders to speed up large transfers.
Use the Correct Upgrade Process for Future Transitions
Prevent account duplication by utilizing the proper Upgrade option within the admin center instead of signing up manually via the domain-account method.
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If navigating complicated Microsoft 365 subscriptions, separate accounts, and OneDrive migrations feels overwhelming, WPS Office offers a straightforward, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy all essential office tools without the headache of complex plan upgrades.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the quick on-screen setup instructions.
- 3. Open your existing files: Launch WPS Office and open your migrated Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to continue working immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I merge two separate Microsoft 365 accounts?
No, two separate Microsoft 365 accounts cannot be merged or bundled. If a new account was inadvertently created during an upgrade, you will need to manually transfer files and data from the old account to the new one.
Will my original OneDrive files disappear after I upgrade?
If your upgrade resulted in a new, separate account and the original subscription expires, the original OneDrive and SharePoint storage will eventually be deleted. It is critical to migrate your files to the actively licensed account before the old subscription expires.
How do I avoid creating a new account when upgrading my Microsoft 365 plan?
To prevent generating a new account, always use the 'Upgrade' option located within the Microsoft 365 Admin Center under 'Billing' > 'Your products'. Avoid using the manual domain-account sign-up process for new plans, as this creates isolated accounts.
