Windows – How to use multiple SkyDrive accounts on one computer

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Is there any way how to use multiple SkyDrive accounts on one computer running MAC OS X or Windows 8? I would like to sync data from different accounts to different folder and not to merge these accounts to one. The reason is that every SkyDrive has it's storage limits and I'm using every account for different work data.

The result should be the following:

  1. I have a number of SkyDrive accounts every for different work, let's say:

    • S1
    • S2
    • S3

  2. I would like to sync exactly the same number of folders on computer using different accounts to sync them:

    • SkyDriveS1Folder – (folder on computer which syncing the content of S1 SkyDrive)
    • SkyDriveS2Folder – (folder on computer which syncing the content of S2 SkyDrive)
    • SkyDriveS3Folder – (folder on computer which syncing the content of S3 SkyDrive)

Is it possible somehow? I found a workaround for Windows machines (Running multiple instances of Microsoft SkyDrive) but is there anything for MAC OS X machines? Or is it possible through any third party application?

Best Answer

According to the SkyDrive FAQs (see below) you cannot use the SkyDrive desktop client with multiple accounts simultaneously, but you can serially, aka if you are willing to log out of one account on SkyDrive (outlook.com) and log back in.

There are a few caveats regarding the local configuration and one is that the procedure doesn't work with Windows 8. I'm running Windows 7 so I can't test it but you may be out of luck in the regard.

If you are technically savvy and want to push the envelope, see if you can adapt to SkyDrive this procedure for Dropbox, use multiple Dropbox accounts on the same computer.

Quotes from SkyDrive desktop app for Windows: Frequently asked questions:

Can I change the account I use with SkyDrive?

You can change the account you use with SkyDrive, but you can't use the folder with multiple accounts at the same time.

To change the account you use with SkyDrive:

  1. Right-click the SkyDrive icon (The SkyDrive icon) in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, and then click Settings.

  2. On the Settings tab, click Unlink SkyDrive.

  3. Restart SkyDrive and sign in with the account you want to use. You'll need to select the location for your SkyDrive folder again. If you select the same location, the folders for both accounts will be merged. If the PC had the Fetch files feature turned on, you'll need to turn it on again.

Note

If you sign in to Windows 8 with a Microsoft account, you can't change the account you use with SkyDrive.

and

SkyDrive for Mac: Frequently asked questions:

Can I change the account I use with SkyDrive?

You can change the account you use with SkyDrive, but you can't use the folder with multiple accounts at the same time. To change the account you use with SkyDrive, choose Sign Out from the menu bar.

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