Tip: value privacy online? Here are the best Chrome extensions that help you stay safe while browsing.
What Is Personal Vault?
Personal Vault is a protected folder in Microsoft OneDrive that can be accessed only after verifying your identity. The verification method can be a fingerprint, PIN, Face ID, or authentication code sent to you via email or SMS. Thanks to this extra layer of protection, it’s safe to use the Personal Vault to store your important files that contain sensitive or personal information. For example, you can use the OneDrive vault to keep your passport, driver’s license, social security card, or any other government-issued ID that contains your personal data, safe.
Is OneDrive Personal Vault Free?
If you are a subscriber of OneDrive’s 100GB plan or basic 5GB free account, you can only store a maximum of three files in Personal Vault but can store many more files if you have a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription. Note: OneDrive Personal Vault is not available for organizational accounts like school or work.
How to Enable Personal Vault in OneDrive
You need to enable the vault to use it. Let’s see how to access the OneDrive Personal Vault on your Windows computer. Tip: if you’re dealing with OneDrive sync issues, we have a few tips that will help you solve the problem in no time.
How to Store Files in Personal Vault
Once you set up the OneDrive Personal Vault, it will remain unlocked for a period of 20 minutes. After that, the folder will automatically become locked. You can open it again after providing authentication. Note: for fingerprint verification, you need specialized hardware, such as a Windows Hello-capable device, fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor, or other biometric sensor.
How to Use OneDrive Personal Vault on Web
You can also access your Personal Vault on the Web. This option comes in handy when you need to view the files using someone else’s computer.
How to Change Auto Lock Timeout of Personal Vault
Do you need to add several files to your Personal Vault and think that the 20-minute lock timeout is too short? You can change the auto-lock interval of your vault. Tip: did you know that Google Photos also has a similar option for keeping your photos locked? It’s called Locked Folder. Here’s how to use it.
How to Manually Lock Personal Vault
Besides the automatic lockout, you can lock your Personal Vault manually whenever you need to by following the steps below. Note: you will see the “lock” button only when the vault is unlocked.
How to Delete OneDrive Personal Vault
If there comes a time when you no longer need the Personal Vault, you can disable it by accessing OneDrive from the Web. Keep in mind that if you do this, all the files and folders stored in your OneDrive Personal Vault will get deleted. Though you can enable the vault again, you cannot restore the deleted files from the vault itself. After the folder is disabled, you can only enable it again from the Web. Good to know: if you’re on an Android device and want to keep some of your files hidden for privacy reasons, learn how to unlock Safe Folder on your phone. Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Meenatchi Nagasubramanian. The Microsoft 365 Personal plan provides total storage of 1TB, whereas a Family plan offers 6TB storage. Check the Microsoft OneDrive website to learn more about its storage plans and pricing.
