I have two accounts - how can I convert them to one

Microsoft accounts cannot be merged, so keep the new subscription, turn off renewal for the old one, copy its OneDrive files to the new account, and then activate the Office apps with the new account.^1^

1. Stop renewal of the old subscription

1. Sign in to the Microsoft Services & subscriptions page using the old email address.
2. Find its Microsoft 365 subscription and select Manage.
3. Select Turn off recurring billing.
4. Confirm that the subscription now shows an expiration date or offers Turn on recurring billing.

You can continue using that subscription normally until its expiration date, but it will not renew or charge you again.[^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Turn recurring billing on or off for a Microsoft subscription")

If the subscription does not appear or has no management option, it may have been purchased through Apple, Google, Amazon, or another retailer and must be managed through that provider.

2. Move documents stored in the old OneDrive

The two OneDrive storage areas remain separate even though both accounts belong to you. To consolidate them:

1. Sign in to OneDrive with the old account.
2. Sync its files to your PC or Mac, or download them to a local folder.
3. Sign in to OneDrive with the new account.
4. Copy the files into the new account’s OneDrive folder using File Explorer on Windows or Finder on macOS.
5. Wait for synchronization to complete.
6. Open several files from the new OneDrive and verify that everything needed was copied before removing anything from the old account.

Microsoft documents syncing files locally and then using File Explorer or Finder as the supported method for moving files between OneDrive accounts.^3^

Documents stored only on your computer are not tied to a particular account and do not need to be converted. Back them up before making account or synchronization changes.

3. Use the new subscription in Word, Excel, and the other apps

The Microsoft account used to purchase Microsoft 365 owns the license and is used to activate the installed apps.^4^

Open Word or Excel and check the account shown under the account/profile area:

1. Sign out of the old account as the Office licensing account.
2. Sign in with the new email address that owns the active subscription.
3. Confirm that the app reports an active Microsoft 365 subscription rather than Unlicensed Product.

You generally do not need to reinstall the apps merely because the subscription is now under another personal Microsoft account. Outlook email accounts can also remain added separately; changing the Office licensing account does not itself merge or move mailboxes.

What happens when the old subscription expires

The old Microsoft account itself remains available, but it becomes a free account:

• Its OneDrive allowance returns to 5 GB.
• Existing files initially remain, but if usage exceeds 5 GB, uploading, editing, and syncing are restricted.
• If it remains over quota, OneDrive may be frozen after three months and may be deleted after six months.
• Office associated only with the expired subscription enters reduced-functionality mode, allowing documents to be opened and usually printed but not edited or created.[^5^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "What happens when your Microsoft 365 subscription expires | Microsoft Support")

Signing the apps into the new account’s valid subscription addresses the Office licensing side, but it does not automatically transfer files, email, purchases, or other data from the old account. Do not close the old account until all required data has been copied and checked.

References

1. Combining Microsoft accounts | Microsoft Support
2. [Turn recurring billing on or off for a Microsoft subscription | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
3. Sort, rename, or move photos and files in OneDrive | Microsoft Support
4. About accounts in Office | Microsoft Support
5. [What happens when your Microsoft 365 subscription expires | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])