What is OneDrive Personal Vault and How to Use It

OneDrive Personal Vault is a secure storage space within OneDrive that allows you to store sensitive documents and files.

It's designed to be a safe and private area where you can store items like passports, driver's licenses, and other important documents that you don't want to share with others.

To access OneDrive Personal Vault, you need to have a Microsoft account and be signed in to OneDrive.

You can find Personal Vault in the OneDrive app or on the OneDrive website.

OneDrive Personal Vault is a protected area inside OneDrive that adds an extra layer of security to your most important files and documents. It's a secure place to store sensitive information.

You can use it to keep your passport, driver's license, social security card, or any other government-issued ID that contains your personal data, safe. This is because the verification method can be a fingerprint, PIN, Face ID, or authentication code sent to you via email or SMS.

Personal Vault is only available for home and personal plans, and it's not yet available for business or school accounts. This means you'll need to have a personal OneDrive account to access this feature.

Some examples of sensitive information you can store in your Personal Vault include passports, driver's licenses, and financial records.

To get started with OneDrive Personal Vault, click the OneDrive icon in the notifications area on your Windows PC.

You'll be prompted to set up the vault for the first time, so press "Next" to proceed.

A notification will alert you that "Your Personal Vault is all set up."

To access your Personal Vault on the Web, navigate to the OneDrive website and log in with your Microsoft account that contains the vault.

Once inside your account, you can see the "Personal Vault" folder under "My files."

Here are the steps to enable Personal Vault in OneDrive:

The OneDrive Personal Vault offers improved security through two-factor authentication, which acts as a strong barrier against unwanted access. This means even if someone gets your OneDrive login information, they still can't access your personal storage.

Your files are encrypted both in transit and at rest, making them protected from prying eyes anytime. This is a big deal, as it ensures your sensitive information is safe from unauthorized access.

You can also enable Auto-Lock to ensure your own storage locks itself when there's no activity, preventing unwanted access if your device is left unattended. This feature is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your personal vault.

Here are some of the additional security features available in OneDrive:

Your vault is highly secure and protected by additional layers of security, including two-factor authentication and automatic locking. This means you can feel comfortable knowing that an extra layer of security is protecting your important documents.

Free storage options are available with OneDrive, but they come with some limitations. OneDrive's basic 5GB free account allows you to store a maximum of three files in Personal Vault.

If you're already a subscriber of OneDrive's 100GB plan, you can also store a maximum of three files in Personal Vault, but you can store many more files if you have a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription.

For those with a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can add an unlimited number of files up to the limit of your OneDrive.

Storing files in your OneDrive Personal Vault is a straightforward process. Once you set it up, the folder will remain unlocked for 20 minutes, after which it will automatically lock, requiring you to authenticate yourself to open it again.

To open the Personal Vault folder, simply double-click the shortcut on your PC, and you'll be able to add files as you normally would. If the vault gets locked before you've added all your files, you can unlock it using the Microsoft authentication app on your mobile or by entering the security code in your email.

If you're using the OneDrive mobile app, you can also access your Personal Vault from your phone. The vault will automatically lock when there's no activity, so make sure to lock it from time to time to ensure your files remain secure.

Here are some key steps to keep in mind when using your OneDrive Personal Vault:

Remember to regularly backup your important files to other locations, as even with OneDrive's secure cloud storage, it's always a good idea to have multiple copies of your data.

Personal Vault, a secure storage feature, is now available to everyone worldwide. It started rolling out on September 6, 2019, and is expected to be available to everyone in October.

If you already have OneDrive, Personal Vault will appear as a feature update when it launches later this year in your region. This means you won't have to do anything to get access.

You can download the OneDrive app or go to www.onedrive.com to start using Personal Vault on your PC or on the web. If you're already using OneDrive, you'll be able to try Personal Vault with a limited number of files if you're on the free or standalone 100 GB plan.

Office 365 subscribers have the most flexibility, as they can store as many files as they want in Personal Vault, up to their storage limit.

Personal Vault offers a high level of security for your sensitive information.

The main difference between Personal Vault and basic OneDrive storage is the need for additional verification information to access your private storage.

Two-factor authentication acts as a strong barrier against unwanted access, making it difficult for unauthorized users to access your files.

Encryption is another key feature of Personal Vault, protecting your files even when they're not in use.

This extra layer of security gives you peace of mind, knowing that your important documents are safe and secure.

Here are the features that make Personal Vault a secure option:

Using private storage for security is a must in today's digital age. You can store your sensitive information in a private box, making sure your most important documents are scanned and stored securely.

To prioritize sensitive information, make sure to enable the Auto-Lock feature, which will lock your storage when there is no activity, preventing unwanted access if your device is left unattended. This feature is a game-changer for those who want to keep their data safe.

Here are some tips for using private storage for security:

Your files are encrypted both in transit and at rest, so they are protected from prying eyes anytime. This means that even if someone tries to access your files, they won't be able to read them without the decryption key.

OneDrive's Personal Vault is highly secure and protected by additional layers of security, including two-factor authentication and automatic locking. This means that even if someone tries to access your vault, they won't be able to get in without the correct authentication.

You can access your Personal Vault on the Web by navigating to the OneDrive website and logging in with your Microsoft account that contains the vault.

To unlock and access your files, you can use a PIN, fingerprint, face, or a code delivered by email or SMS. You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator app to unlock your vault.

Just enter a PIN, or use your fingerprint, face, or a code delivered by email or SMS to unlock and access your files—no need to remember multiple passwords.

Personal Vault can be unlocked with the Microsoft Authenticator app, making it quick and convenient to access your files.

To secure your data, prioritize sensitive information by scanning and storing it in a private box, and enable Auto-Lock to lock your vault when there's no activity.

You can use the OneDrive mobile app to scan documents, take pictures, or shoot video directly into your Personal Vault, keeping them off less secure areas of your device.

To upload files and folders to your vault, simply drag them into your browser tab where your vault is open, or use the "Move to Personal Storage" option by right-clicking a file or folder in OneDrive on your desktop.

Here are the steps to upload files to your Personal Vault:

By default, the vault locks after a short period of inactivity so your file stays protected automatically.