Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover Missing OneNote Notes After Changing Microsoft Accounts

Camila Milosovich Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to locate and recover OneNote notebooks and sections that disappeared after switching Microsoft accounts or losing a subscription.

How to Recover Missing OneNote Notes After Changing Microsoft Accounts

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Signing out of an old account, switching to a different Microsoft account, or dealing with an expired subscription.
Observed behavior: Notebooks and sections are missing or failing to synchronize (showing error code 0xE00009c8). Local backup files may be visible but are tied to an inaccessible account, preventing normal folder access.

Before you start

Verify the exact email address of the new Microsoft account you are currently logged into, and ensure you have closed all active error dialogs in OneNote.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore and Move Notes from Local Backups

Use this method if your notes are stuck on an inaccessible account but you still have local backup files saved on your computer.

Even if you cannot access the cloud account associated with your previous notebooks, OneNote often creates local backups of your sections automatically. You can open these individual section files and manually copy them into a new notebook owned by your current account.

Open the local backups folder

Launch OneNote, click on 'File' in the top ribbon, select 'Info', and then click 'Open Backups'. If you are using the Windows 10 app, check your local AppData folder directly at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote\.

Open individual sections

Navigate to the folder named after your missing notebook. Double-click the specific section file (.one extension) you wish to recover. It will open in OneNote under a temporary 'Open Sections' area.

Move or copy to a new notebook

Right-click the recovered section tab at the top of your workspace and select 'Move or Copy'. Choose a notebook that is actively syncing with your new Microsoft account and click 'Copy'.

Restore and Move Notes from Local Backups

Data Preserved Successfully: By using 'Copy' instead of 'Move', you retain the original backup file safely on your hard drive just in case the sync fails on your new account.

Solution 2

Share Notebooks via OneDrive Web

If you still have partial web access to your old account, you can transfer ownership of the files through OneDrive without dealing with desktop sync errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Hassle-Free Document Management

Tired of complicated account sync issues, lost subscription files, and inaccessible notes? WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative that ensures your documents are always exactly where you left them. Enjoy seamless offline access combined with optional, reliable cloud storage.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and launch: Run the installer, follow the simple on-screen instructions, and open the WPS Office application.
3. Manage your files freely: Open, edit, and save your existing Office documents directly to your local drive without worrying about cloud sync errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Save documents locally without forced account synchronization or lockouts.Free and lightweight, avoiding heavy subscription requirements.All-in-one tabbed interface for a highly efficient workflow.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my OneNote notebooks disappear when I signed out?

OneNote heavily relies on cloud synchronization. When you sign out of a Microsoft account, the application removes the local cache of cloud-only notebooks to protect your privacy. You must sign back into the original account to restore direct access.

How do I fix OneNote sync failure error code 0xE00009c8?

Error code 0xE00009c8 indicates a server connection issue or an account authentication failure. To resolve it, try forcing a manual sync by pressing Shift+F9, check your internet connection, or completely sign out and sign back in to refresh your Microsoft credentials.

Can I open an entire OneNote notebook folder directly without the original account?

You cannot open entire notebook folders directly if they are encrypted or locked to the cloud account. However, you can open the individual section files (.one) found in your local backup directory and manually copy the pages into a new notebook.

Migration & Recovery