How to change the underlying local account

Correct the three separate identities—Windows sign-in, Microsoft 365 activation, and OneDrive synchronization—from inside your wife’s existing Windows profile; replacing or renaming that profile is not required.

1. Identify the Windows sign-in account

Sign out of your Windows profile and sign in to your wife’s profile, then open:

Settings → Accounts → Your info

The link shown there identifies the account type:

• “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead” means the current Windows sign-in is a local account.
• “Sign in with a local account instead” means Windows is currently signed in with a Microsoft account.

A local Windows account can still use a separate Microsoft account in Word and OneDrive. It does not need to be converted merely to correct those applications. If your wife prefers her Microsoft account as the Windows sign-in, select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead and enter her account credentials. Windows documents both account types and switching procedures here ^1^.

2. Remove your cached account from her Windows profile

While still signed in to your wife’s Windows profile:

1. Close Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft 365 applications.
2. Open Settings → Accounts → Email & accounts.
3. Under Accounts used by other apps, look for your Microsoft account.
4. If your account is present and your wife does not need it in her profile, select it and choose Remove.
5. Also check Settings → Accounts → Access work or school. If your account appears there, select it and choose Disconnect.

Removing an unintended account from Accounts used by other apps is the relevant correction when Office presents another Windows user’s identity ^2^. Disconnecting an account removes its sign-in information from the device; it does not delete the underlying online account ^3^.

Do not remove your wife’s Windows user under Accounts → Other users—that would remove her device sign-in and local profile data.

3. Correct the account used by Microsoft 365

In your wife’s profile:

1. Open Word.
2. Select File → Account.
3. Sign out of your account.
4. Close all Microsoft 365 applications; this is required to complete the sign-out.
5. Reopen Word and sign in with your wife’s Microsoft account.

Signing out of Office disconnects Office services but does not sign out the separate OneDrive synchronization app ^4^.

The account she uses must have the Microsoft 365 entitlement. If you own a Microsoft 365 Family subscription, share it with her Microsoft account first; each person should then use their own account so their documents, settings, and OneDrive storage remain separate ^5^.

4. Relink OneDrive to your wife’s account

Still within your wife’s Windows profile:

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
2. Select Help & Settings → Settings → Account.
3. Verify the email currently shown.
4. If it is yours, select Unlink this PC → Unlink account. Unlinking does not delete the cloud files ^6^.
5. Start OneDrive again from the Start menu.
6. Sign in with your wife’s Microsoft account.
7. When prompted for a folder:
   • Choose a new folder associated with her account if the existing folder contains your files.
   • Use an existing folder only when certain it contains her OneDrive content.

OneDrive will reconnect and synchronize her files; placeholders may appear first while synchronization completes ^7^.

Do not delete or move the old OneDrive folder until both online accounts have been checked and all locally stored files have been identified. Your former OneDrive folder may remain in File Explorer after unlinking, but it will no longer synchronize.

Afterward, the expected arrangement is:

• Windows: your wife’s existing local account, or her Microsoft account if she intentionally converts it.
• Microsoft 365: activated with her licensed Microsoft account.
• OneDrive: synchronized only with her Microsoft account.
• Your Windows profile: Office and OneDrive remain associated with your own account independently.

References

1. Change From a Local Account to a Microsoft Account in Windows | Microsoft Support
2. Office 365 Asks for Wrong Credentials ("Choose a way to sign in") - Microsoft Q&A
3. Manage User Accounts in Windows | Microsoft Support
4. Sign out of Office | Microsoft Support
5. how to get word and excel when i have a local account. - Microsoft Q&A
6. Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive | Microsoft Support
7. Windows