Google Drive Multiple Accounts: Solving the 'Maximum Reached' Error and How to See Shared Files on Google Drive

For many Google Workspace users, managing multiple Google accounts is a daily reality. Whether it's for work, personal projects, or various client collaborations, the Google Drive for desktop application offers invaluable convenience by syncing all your files directly to your computer's file explorer. This seamless integration allows you to access, edit, and organize documents from all your linked accounts, including how to see shared files on Google Drive, just like local folders.

The Frustrating 'Maximum Accounts' Dilemma

A common challenge arises when this smooth operation is disrupted. A Workalizer.com community member recently highlighted a frustrating scenario: after successfully linking four Google Drive accounts to their laptop for use with Windows Explorer, one account mysteriously unlinked. The real problem surfaced when attempting to re-add it – a notification stating, "I've reached the maximum number of accounts." This error can be particularly disruptive for users who rely on constant access to all their drives, especially when needing to quickly find and manage files, including how to see shared files on Google Drive from different teams or projects.

The Expert Solution: Resetting DriveFS Configuration

Fortunately, a Google Drive Community Support Forum expert, चंद्रशेखर, provided a clear path to resolution. The core of the solution involves resetting the local configuration files for Google Drive's File Stream (DriveFS). This often resolves corrupted settings or cached data that might be incorrectly triggering the "maximum accounts" error.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving the Issue:

1. Close Google Drive: Ensure the Google Drive for desktop application is completely closed. Check your system tray to confirm it's not running in the background.
2. Locate the DriveFS Folder: The critical folder is named DriveFS. You'll find it within your local application data. The expert specified the exact path:

   %LocalAppData%\Google\

   You can copy and paste this path directly into your Windows File Explorer address bar and press Enter.
3. Rename the Folder: Inside the Google folder, locate the DriveFS folder. Right-click on it and rename it to DriveFS.old. This effectively archives the existing configuration, forcing Google Drive to create a fresh one upon restart.
4. Restart Google Drive: Launch the Google Drive for desktop application again.
5. Re-add Accounts: You will likely need to go through the process of re-adding all your Google Drive accounts. This fresh start should allow you to link all your necessary accounts without encountering the "maximum number of accounts" error.

Important Considerations Before You Start:

• Potential Data Loss: The expert warned that "any unsynced data is likely to be lost." Before performing these steps, it is crucial to ensure all critical files across all your linked drives are fully synced to the cloud or backed up locally.
• Time Commitment: Be prepared to spend some time re-authenticating and setting up each of your Google Drive accounts again.

This community insight offers a vital fix for a common, yet frustrating, problem faced by power users of Google Drive for desktop. By understanding how to reset the DriveFS configuration, you can overcome the "maximum accounts reached" error and restore full functionality, ensuring you can seamlessly manage all your files, including how to see shared files on Google Drive, directly from your computer.