Although OneDrive is already a secure place to store your files in the cloud, Microsoft is now introducing “Personal Vault,” a new feature to offer even more security to store your most sensitive documents.
However, it’s not a new separate product, OneDrive Personal Vault will be an area (folder) of your account that will use stronger security (such as email code, PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition for authentication) every time you try to access those files using a mobile device, computer, or web browser.
On devices running Windows 10, Microsoft is leveraging BitLocker to encrypt your Personal Vault files. Then, like with all your OneDrive files, your Personal Vault contents will be encrypted during transit and at-rest on the Microsoft servers.
As part of additional security measures, Personal Vault will lock on your device automatically after some time of inactivity, at which point re-authentication will be required to regain access.
If you’re trying to access your files using a device that isn’t recognized, OneDrive Personal Vault won’t allow the browser to store any temporary data. In addition, Microsoft is also updating the OneDrive mobile app to easily scan and save sensitive documents directly into your Personal Vault.
Microsoft is expected to make the new feature available on Windows 10 as well as OneDrive web, Android, and iOS. However, initially, it’ll only be available in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia with the promise to expand to more regions throughout the year.
What do you think about OneDrive Personal Vault? Will you trust the Microsoft cloud to store your most sensitive files? Tell us in the comments.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].