A Different Version of the OneDrive App is Already Connected: What to Do Next

Introduction

Windows users can store their files online and access them from any device with the help of the popular cloud storage service, OneDrive. But you may come across some error messages, one of which is “a different version of the OneDrive app is already connected”.

This error is usually caused when the version of the OneDrive app on your system does not match. This can affect OneDrive’s functionality and may cause file syncing and accessibility issues. Gaining insights into the underlying cause of this error can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue effectively.

Why a Different Version of the OneDrive App is Already Connected Appears?

1. Multiple OneDrive Accounts on a Single Device: Multiple OneDrive accounts connected to the same device is one of the most common causes of the “already connected different version OneDrive app” error. The app can get confused when switching accounts.

2. Outdated OneDrive Version: If you are using an old version of the app, it may not be compatible with the latest updates of the operating system or other applications. As a result, an error may occur when the app tries to connect.

3. Corrupted OneDrive Files: This could be caused by corrupted user profile information or OneDrive setup files, preventing the app from identifying the correct version.

4. Various Software Issues: OneDrive can sometimes fail to work with other apps installed on your device. This can include Windows updates, antivirus software, and other cloud storage apps. An already connected OneDrive app can also experience another version error due to these conflicts.

5. Remaining Previous Installations: If you recently uninstalled OneDrive and reinstalled it, there may still be leftover files from the previous installation. The "a different version of the OneDrive app is already connected" issue can be caused by these leftover files that are preventing reinstallation.

6. Network Connectivity Issues: OneDrive can experience sync errors due to an unstable or poor Internet connection.

7. Incorrect Windows Registration Settings: All software installations store their configuration settings in the Windows registry. Outdated or incorrect OneDrive registry entries can cause the system to misinterpret the version of the installed app, which can lead to errors.

8 Solution - A Different Version of the OneDrive App is Already Connected

Troubleshooting this issue requires a systematic approach. Below are eight possible troubleshooting steps, along with detailed instructions that may help you at each step.

Sign out of OneDrive and Sign back in

1. Open the OneDrive application.

2. Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray.

3. Select Settings under Help & Settings.

4. Select the Account tab, and then select Unlink this computer.

5. Sign in to sign out of your account.

6. Quit the application and restart your computer.

7. After restarting, open OneDrive and sign in using your account information.

Upgrade the OneDrive Application

1. Use the Start menu to go to the Microsoft Store.

2. Click the three dots in the upper right corner, then select Downloads and Updates.

3. Check the list of apps for OneDrive.

4. If there is a new version, click Update.

5. After installing the update, restart your computer.

Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive

1. Press "Windows + I" to go to Settings.

2. Go to Apps > Features & apps.

3. Search for Microsoft OneDrive in the list and select it.

4. Select "Uninstall" and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. You will need to restart your computer after uninstalling the program.

6. Visit the Microsoft website to download the latest version of OneDrive.

7. After installing the app, sign in with your account.

Delete Any Remaining Files in OneDrive

1. Press "Windows + R" to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type %localappdata% and press Enter.

3. Go to the Microsoft\OneDrive directory.

4. All files and folders in this directory should be deleted.

5. Go back to the %localappdata% directory and open the Temp folder.

6. Delete all temporary files related to OneDrive.

7. After reinstalling OneDrive, sign in.

Delete OneDrive Data

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter.

3. OneDrive will take a moment to reset.

4. Try opening OneDrive directly from the Start menu, if it doesn't start automatically.

Quit Conflicting Software

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Select the Startup tab.

3. Close any third-party cloud storage or antivirus applications.

4. Restart your computer. Check if the error occurs again.

Check Network Access

1. Please check if the Wi-Fi network your device is connected to is reliable.

2. Unplug the router and wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. It should restart.

3. If possible, use an Ethernet cable to connect your device directly to the router.

4. Open a web browser and check if other websites load quickly.

5. If the connection speed is still slow, please contact your internet service provider.

Edit the Windows Registry

1. Use the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.

2. Open the registry editor by typing regedit and pressing Enter.

3. OneDrive can be accessed by going to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft.

4. Find anything related to your previous OneDrive settings.

5. Please right-click to select everything in this list.

6. The registry editor is done. Please restart your computer again.

7. Please open OneDrive again and log in again.

Bonus Tip: Transfer or Sync Files between OneDrive and Other Cloud Services

This article addresses the question “A different version of the OneDrive app is already connected”. If you’re considering migrating files from your current cloud service to OneDrive, or vice versa, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, it allows for seamless file transfers from cloud drives like Google Drive to OneDrive without the need to download and then re-upload files. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDAV, and more.

Conclusion

Although it can be annoying, the "a different version of the OneDrive app is already connected" problem is not unfixable. You can have access to your files on any device as long as you follow the above solutions.