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How to set up multiple Windows laptops WITHOUT sharing OneDrive?

Sean Pendergrast 0 Reputation points
2024-11-09T15:24:15.4266667+00:00

Ever since Microsoft started requiring a Microsoft account to set up a new computer, I have been facing an issue that I need to find an answer for.

I have multiple computers that I need to set up, but I don't want them to all share the same desktop, documents, OneDrive, etc. For example, one machine is for banking and financial work, one machine is for gaming, and one machine is for media and entertainment. I don't want any of my financial or banking information to ever appear on the other two machines. I don't want everything I put on the desktop of the gaming machine to show up on the other two, and I don't want my photos and music to show up on the other two.

So the dilemma I face is having to set up (and manage) three separate Microsoft accounts, which is NOT an appropriate option. All three computers belong to me, and I want them all to be set up to work with OneDrive and other Cloud integration (ie: M365 file saving, etc), but I do NOT want them to share data between them.

I have found a few work-arounds that are a pain to set up and maintain, but I want to know what Microsoft recommends in this situation. This is a significant problem and I KNOW I am not the only person who is trying to find a solution.

OneDrive Management
OneDrive Management
OneDrive: A Microsoft file hosting and synchronization service.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
1,279 questions
Windows 11
Windows 11
A Microsoft operating system designed for productivity, creativity, and ease of use.
9,930 questions
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  1. Emi Zhang-MSFT 25,631 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-11-11T06:12:37.2833333+00:00

    Hi,

    Did you want to use the same Microsoft account in different PCs with OneDrive and the same account will not share OneDrive sync files and folders under different PCs?

    It's impossible, OneDrive cannot use the same account to sync different contents on different PCs. It is recommended that you use different personal accounts to synchronize your data.

    If you have any feedback or suggestion about this behavior, you can try to give a feedback to Microsoft about your requirement:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-office-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11

    Microsoft values your opinion. Your feedback goes directly to our engineers and helps us shape the future of Microsoft products and services for all our users.

    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

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