I am repeatedly asked, whether it is possible to manage multiple SkyDrive accounts with Windows. To synchronize multiple SkyDrive accounts at the same time with the desktop app for Windows. This is (currently) not possible. SkyDrive can be used only a single account with the cloud. Nevertheless, it is possible to switch from one to the other account with just a few clicks. It works on Windows 7 or Windows 8 with a domain account.
Note: The German version of this blog post you will find here
So below is the description, how to “toggle” with just a few clicks from one account to a different account ":
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Normally settles the SkyDrive desktop app for Windows in the folder C:\Users\Username\SkyDrive
I have changed that and created additional folders for my 3 SkyDrive accounts. |
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We click the SkyDrive icon (white cloud) in the notification area of the taskbar a change or a new assignment of this space for file synchronization. I have pulled the ad from the notification area by drag and drop directly into the taskbar. (The blue cloud icon belongs to SkyDrive Pro). |
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Click the cloud icon with the right mouse button and then click settings. |
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In the Microsoft SkyDrive settings dialog we click on "Unlink SkyDrive". |
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If you see this dialog, then the old existing connection to SkyDrive was interrupted.
If you have not created new folders, the you have not click “Start” |
A structure is unique for a 2nd or 3rd SkyDrive account to apply. If this was already done, the following actions can be skipped. |
Create new folder: old folder : move your "old" folder and files from C:\Users\\Username\Skydrive to Of course you may use other storage locations (2nd HDD,…) Then search the remaining open dialog and click on “Start”. |
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In the login dialog enter your registered 2nd Microsoft account (Live ID) credentials. Then click on “login” |
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as mentioned above, we can not use the default path. So click on “Change” |
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The subsequent Folders dialog box displays the default path in the Favorites. Click on “SkyDrive” |
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Here we see the 3 folders that I’ve created for my 3 SkyDrive accounts. Click on the folder which corresponds with the credentials. And then click “OK” |
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Below the folder, there is always a folder called SkyDrive applied as the SkyDrive root element. Including the synchronized folders are listed (if already available) Therefore only click in the folder you have created, not on root element |
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Click on "Use this location" |
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Now, we have assigned the new folder. Click on "Next" |
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If you want to synchronize all folders of your current SkyDrive account, then click “Next”. Alternatively, select "Select to synchronize folders" and then click “Next” In the subsequent dialog box, you choose the folder that you want to synchronize. Depending on the number of folders to exclude, it consumes expensive time, because you have to do this at each change of the SkyDrive account! |
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If you have several computers and want to remotely access on this computer, you have to set these hook. Then click “Done” |
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Even so, that was’s. the left screen shot shows, that not all folders are synchronized finished. |
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At least I created a library named "Cloud". Thus, I have access to my 2 other SkyDrive folder, but just not synchronized. How to write… "There can be only one!". |
Note to Windows 8 and logged on with a Microsoft account:
The advantage of the application with a Microsoft account is that I must enter my credentials only once, then the OS knows your credentials for all Microsoft cloud services and you we will be never ask again for your credentials.
With Windows 8 it goes faster, if I create a second user with another Microsoft account.
Note: The German version of this blog post you will find here
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