How to Use OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10 Together
Question details
The user wants to install, open, and synchronize notebooks between OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10 simultaneously on a single computer.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Running multiple versions of the OneNote application concurrently on a single PC to leverage the distinct features of both versions.
- Observed behavior
- Both applications can be installed and actively used at the same time, provided the notebooks are synced via cloud storage.
Ensure you have an active Microsoft account and that both OneNote 2016 (desktop version) and OneNote for Windows 10 are installed on your computer. You will also need a stable internet connection to initially sync your notebooks through OneDrive.
Sync Notebooks Using OneDrive and a Single Microsoft Account
By storing your notebooks on OneDrive and logging into both applications with the same Microsoft account, you can access and edit your notes seamlessly across both OneNote versions.
Microsoft allows both OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10 to operate independently on the same operating system. To ensure your notes reflect updates across both apps instantly, local storage cannot be used. The notebook must be housed in a cloud directory.
Open OneNote 2016, navigate to 'File' > 'Share', and ensure your notebook is saved to your OneDrive account rather than local PC storage.
Launch the OneNote for Windows 10 application, click your profile icon or the 'Sign In' button at the top right, and log in with the exact same Microsoft account used in OneNote 2016.
Click on the 'Notebooks' dropdown list in OneNote for Windows 10, select 'More Notebooks', locate your OneDrive notebook from the list, and click to open it.
Make edits in either application. The changes will automatically sync through the cloud. To manually force a sync, right-click the notebook name and select 'Sync Now'.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will running both OneNote versions slow down my computer?
No, running OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10 together generally does not cause performance issues, as they operate independently. However, keeping massive notebooks simultaneously open and syncing in both applications might utilize additional RAM.
Can I save notebooks locally instead of using OneDrive?
Only OneNote 2016 supports offline local notebook storage. In order to sync and access the same notebook across both OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10, the file must be stored in the cloud via OneDrive or SharePoint.
Why do some features look different between the two apps?
OneNote 2016 is the classic desktop software with deep Microsoft Office integrations, while OneNote for Windows 10 is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app optimized for touch displays and digital pens. The core notes remain identical, but specific tools and interface layouts vary between the two environments.
How do I choose which OneNote opens by default?
You can set your default application in Windows by navigating to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Scroll down to select 'Choose default apps by protocol', find the 'ONENOTE' protocols in the list, and select your preferred version to handle notebook links.
