How to Move Edge Drop Files Between Two Microsoft Accounts on Windows 11

Edge Drop is a built-in feature in Microsoft Edge that lets you send files, notes, and links between your own devices. However, when you need to transfer those files to a different Microsoft account, the standard Drop interface does not include a direct forwarding option. This article explains the technical limitation that prevents cross-account sharing and provides the only reliable method to move Edge Drop files between two Microsoft accounts on Windows 11.

Why Edge Drop Cannot Transfer Files Between Different Microsoft Accounts

Edge Drop uses your Microsoft account’s cloud storage to sync files across your signed-in devices. Each file you add to Drop is associated with the specific Microsoft account that uploaded it. The service does not include a share or forward button because Drop is designed for personal cross-device sync, not for inter-account file transfer.

When you sign into Edge on a second device with the same Microsoft account, all Drop files appear automatically. But if you sign in with a different account, the Drop folder is empty. There is no API or user interface to move items between accounts. This is a deliberate design choice to keep Drop simple and private.

The workaround requires you to download the files from the source account’s Drop to your local Windows 11 PC and then upload them into the target account’s Drop. This manual transfer preserves the file content but does not retain Drop metadata such as upload timestamps or original sender information.

Steps to Download Files from the Source Microsoft Account’s Edge Drop

Before you can move files, you must first save them from the source account to your local storage. Follow these steps while signed into Edge with the account that currently holds the files.

1. Open Edge and sign in with the source account
   Launch Microsoft Edge on Windows 11. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and verify that you are signed into the Microsoft account that contains the Drop files you want to move.
2. Open the Drop panel
   Click the Drop icon on the right side of the Edge toolbar. It looks like a small square with an upward arrow. If you do not see the Drop icon, click the puzzle piece icon to manage extensions, then enable Drop from the list.
3. Locate the file you want to transfer
   In the Drop panel, scroll through the list of files, notes, and links. Each item shows a preview thumbnail or icon. Click on the file to select it.
4. Download the file to your PC
   Hover your mouse over the file thumbnail. A download icon appears in the top-right corner of the file card. Click that icon. Edge downloads the file to your default Downloads folder. Repeat this for every file you need to move.
5. Verify the downloaded files
   Open File Explorer and navigate to your Downloads folder. Confirm that all files are present and that their sizes match the originals. Rename files if needed to avoid confusion during the next phase.

Steps to Upload Files into the Target Microsoft Account’s Edge Drop

After downloading the files locally, sign out of the source account and sign into the target account. Then upload the files from your PC into that account’s Drop.

1. Sign out of the source account in Edge
   Click your profile icon in Edge and select Manage profile settings. Click Sign out. Close all Edge windows.
2. Sign into Edge with the target account
   Open Edge again. Click the profile icon and select Add profile. Follow the prompts to sign in with the Microsoft account that should receive the files. Set this profile as the default if you plan to use Drop regularly with this account.
3. Open the Drop panel
   Click the Drop icon on the toolbar. The panel shows an empty list if this account has no Drop files yet.
4. Upload the downloaded files
   At the bottom of the Drop panel, click the paperclip icon or the Add file button. In the file picker, navigate to your Downloads folder. Select one or more files and click Open. Edge uploads them to the target account’s Drop. Repeat for all files.
5. Confirm the files appear on another device
   Open Edge on a second device signed into the same target account. Open Drop and verify that the uploaded files are visible. This confirms the transfer is complete.

Alternative Method: Use OneDrive to Share Files Between Accounts

If you need to transfer files between two Microsoft accounts regularly, using OneDrive is more efficient than the download-and-upload workaround. OneDrive supports sharing links that work across accounts without requiring you to move files physically.

1. Upload the file to OneDrive from the source account
   Open OneDrive on Windows 11 or go to onedrive.live.com. Sign in with the source account. Upload the file to any folder.
2. Generate a share link
   Right-click the file in OneDrive and select Share. Set permissions to Can view or Can edit depending on your needs. Click Copy link.
3. Send the link to the target account
   Paste the link in an email or message to the target account. When the recipient opens the link while signed into their own account, they can download the file directly.
4. Optional: Add the file to the target account’s Edge Drop
   If you still want the file to appear in the target account’s Drop, download it from OneDrive and then upload it into Drop using the steps in the previous section.

Common Mistakes and Limitations When Moving Edge Drop Files

Files are too large for Edge Drop

Edge Drop has a file size limit of 1 GB per file. If a file exceeds this limit, the download or upload fails. Use OneDrive to transfer large files instead, then add them to Drop only if they are under the limit.

The Drop icon disappears after switching accounts

Drop is enabled per profile in Edge. When you sign in with a new account, Drop may not appear on the toolbar. Click the puzzle piece icon, select Manage extensions, and toggle Drop on for that profile.

File types blocked by Edge Drop

Edge Drop blocks executable files (.exe, .msi) and script files (.ps1, .bat). If you try to upload such a file, Edge shows an error. Rename the file extension to .txt before uploading, then rename it back after downloading on the target device.

Downloaded files lose original metadata

File timestamps reset to the download time when you save from Drop. To preserve original creation dates, right-click the downloaded file, select Properties, and change the Date created field manually if needed.

Edge Drop vs OneDrive: File Transfer Methods Compared

Item	Edge Drop	OneDrive
Purpose	Quick cross-device file and note sync	Cloud storage with sharing and collaboration
Cross-account sharing	Not supported natively	Supported via share links
File size limit	1 GB per file	250 GB per file with paid plans
File types blocked	Executables and scripts	No file type restrictions
Sync across devices	Automatic with same account	Automatic with same account
Metadata preservation	Timestamps reset on download	Original timestamps preserved

Edge Drop is best for personal convenience when all your devices use the same Microsoft account. OneDrive is the correct tool for sharing files between different accounts. Use Edge Drop for quick notes and small files, and OneDrive for formal transfers.

You can now move Edge Drop files between two Microsoft accounts on Windows 11 by downloading them from the source account and uploading them into the target account. For ongoing transfers, use OneDrive sharing links instead of the manual workaround. As an advanced tip, create a dedicated folder in OneDrive for inter-account file exchange and share that folder with the target account to avoid individual file sharing each time.