You are probably wondering how you can merge OneDrive accounts because you have several accounts, and it's getting harder to manage them. Convenience is essential, so you may want to merge your personal and business OneDrive accounts, or you may need to combine two personal accounts before deleting one of them.
This article will explain your options and provide detailed instructions for merging your OneDrive content in three different ways.
We'll cover the following topics:
- Merging OneDrive accounts: Is it possible?
- 3 ways of merging OneDrive files from two accounts
- Method 1: Merge the files from two OneDrives automatically using VaultMe
- Method 2: Transfer the files from one OneDrive account to another manually
- Method 3: Share the files with the other OneDrive
- Frequently asked questions about combining OneDrive accounts
- Quick summary
Merging OneDrive accounts: Is it possible?
Two or more OneDrive accounts cannot be merged or synced, according to Microsoft. However, it is possible to copy the files from one OneDrive account to another or share the documents with the other account.
If you want to close an old OneDrive account without losing any data, you can transfer your files from one account to another before deleting the old account. This can be done automatically or manually.
But if you want to keep using both accounts, you can simply share the files stored in one account with the other OneDrive account that you own.
3 ways of merging OneDrive files from two accounts
Method 1: Merge the files from two OneDrives automatically using VaultMe
VaultMe is a secure automated migration tool that will help you combine the documents from your OneDrive accounts without losing data. VaultMe works with OneDrive for Business as well as personal OneDrive accounts.
- VaultMe involves no manual work and runs in a browser. No software needs to be installed.
- VaultMe copies both owned and shared documents as well as documents stored in shared libraries.
- The app saves the folder organization of your source account. You won't have to unpack any zip archives after the migration!
- VaultMe migrations take only a few minutes to set up, and the app works fast.
VaultMe also supports Google Drive, so you can merge the documents from your Google Drive and OneDrive accounts with no hassle, too.
If you have any questions about VaultMe, please contact us at
support@vaultme.com. We'd be happy to help!
Method 2: Transfer all files from one OneDrive account to another manually
Before you begin, make sure that your Internet connection is stable and that you have enough storage space on your computer for a temporary copy of your OneDrive account.
Here's how you transfer OneDrive files manually:
-
Navigate to your OneDrive in a browser and
download the files to your hard drive. To do that, select the item you want to download and click "Download".
Merging OneDrive content manually, step 1: Manual download -
Next,
upload the downloaded items
to the other OneDrive.
Merging OneDrive content manually, step 2: Manual upload
You can use the OneDrive desktop app for downloading your files, but you'll have to upload the files manually or sign out from one account and sign in to the other to upload the documents.
Consider the following downsides of this method before you attempt to copy your documents manually:
- You will have to process the items that are shared with you separately because there is no way of selecting all shared and owned documents at once.
- When you download multiple files or folders, Microsoft 365 puts them into zip archives. To preserve the folder structure of your old account, you will need to unzip and reorganize all files and folders before uploading them.
- The download/upload process is likely to be very slow and may take days or even weeks (especially if your files take over 10 GB of storage space).
- You need to have enough storage space on your computer for a temporary copy of all documents.
- Your broadband connection needs to be stable and you will need to keep the computer powered on at all times. Poor internet connection and interruptions in power supply may cause data loss.
Want an easier method? Try VaultMe!
Here's how VaultMe compares to the manual method:
| Features | VaultMe | Manual download and upload |
|---|---|---|
| Fully automated | ||
| Doesn't need hard drive storage | ||
| Works online | ||
| Preserves folder structure | ||
| Is recommended for both small (<10 GB) and large (10+ GB and/or 1000+ items) accounts | ||
| Generates a detailed migration report | ||
| Free option |
If you have any questions about VaultMe, please contact us at
support@vaultme.com. We'd be happy to help!
Method 3: Share the files with the other OneDrive
This option will make the documents appear in the "Shared" section of the other OneDrive.
This method should only be used if you are the sole owner of both accounts. If your source account is managed by an administrator, you will no longer be able to access the files in either account when they delete or restrict your source account.
Here is how you can share your documents:
- Find the item(s) you want to share.
-
Hover over the item and tick the round box.
Merging OneDrive items manually through sharing, Step 2: Selecting the items -
Select "Share"
in the top panel.
Merging OneDrive items manually through sharing, Step 3: Selecting "Share" -
Type in your other OneDrive account's email address
and click "Send".
Merging OneDrive items manually through sharing, Step 4: Adding the other account -
Go to the "Shared" folder
in the other OneDrive to view the documents.
Please note: if your original account that is sharing the documents with the other account is deactivated or deleted, you will no longer be able to see those documents in the "Shared" folder in the other account.
Frequently asked questions about combining OneDrive accounts
-
Can personal OneDrive and OneDrive for business coexist?
Yes. They can even use the same email address.
-
How do I link or merge my personal and business OneDrive?
Two or multiple OneDrive accounts cannot be linked, synced, or merged, but you can use them side by side, copy the content from one account into the other, or share the items between the accounts using the "Share" function.
-
Can I combine Microsoft accounts and not just OneDrives?
For security reasons, this is not possible.
Quick Summary
According to Microsoft, two OneDrive accounts cannot be merged regardless of their type. But there are workarounds: you can copy the documents from one account to the other or you can share the files and folders stored within one account with the other account.
If you decide to combine the documents from the two OneDrive accounts, there are two ways that you can do that. Choose the automated option if you want to save time, avoid any manual work, and get precise results. Consider the manual method if you have few files, a stable broadband connection, and plenty of free storage space on your computer.