PC with 2users - change to 2 separate exclusive pcs. Will 2nd user require own MS account

Hi BTS Admin,

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand you want to set up two separate PCs so that each user has exclusive access, and you’re concerned about whether a second Microsoft account and a new Office 365 subscription are required.

About Microsoft account for the Second PC, if your wife wants full control of her own laptop without needing your approval for changes, she should create her own Microsoft account. A Microsoft account is required for features like OneDrive sync, Windows personalization, and Microsoft Store access.

If you have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription, you can share it with up to six people. Each person gets their own Microsoft account login, 1 TB of OneDrive storage and full Office apps (Word, Excel, etc.) on their devices.

If you currently have Microsoft 365 Personal, you’ll need to upgrade to Family to share the subscription. This avoids paying for a second subscription.

Sharing under the Family plan means your wife manages her own account settings and files. You won’t need to approve changes on her PC.

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Best regards. 

Hello,

Yes, your wife needs her own Microsoft account so she can have her own PC and access Microsoft 365. You don't have to acquire a new Microsoft 365 Family subscription because you can share your current one with her account.

Why She Needs an Account of Her Own

Using different accounts is important because it keeps her files, settings, and OneDrive storage fully private and separate from yours. When she comes in to her laptop with her own Microsoft account as the main user, she can change all of her settings without needing your permission. It also fits with how Microsoft 365 Family is supposed to work. Each person who subscribes is supposed to use their own Microsoft account to install and activate the apps on their own devices.

How to Get It Ready

First, make sure you're on Microsoft 365 Family. You can't share the Personal plan, so once that's done, she can make her own Microsoft account if she doesn't already have one. Any email address, even Gmail, will work. After that, all you have to do is go to your Microsoft sharing page, click "Start sharing," and send her the invite by email or link. Once she opens it and signs in, she will instantly join your subscription and family group. After that, she can just log in to Office.com on her new laptop and use her own account to install the Office software.

After she installs the Office programs, they will be linked to her account, and she will get 1 TB of OneDrive storage space. You won't be able to see her personal files or administer her PC unless she gives you permission.

You can also get additional information by clicking on this link.

Share your Microsoft 365 Family or Premium subscription

Combining Microsoft accounts .)

I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please leave a comment.

Thanks.