OneDrive is Microsoft’s storage service for hosting files in the “cloud.” It is available for free to all the owners of a Microsoft account. OneDrive offers users a simple way to store, sync and share various types of files, with other people and devices on the internet. Back in June, Microsoft announced OneDrive Personal Vault.

OneDrive runs on the trusted Microsoft cloud, which has many security measures in place to keep your files safe. Regardless, some users still want more protection for their most important and sensitive files.

Personal Vault is a protected area in OneDrive that you can only access with a strong authentication method or a second step of identity verification, such as your fingerprint, face, PIN, or a code sent to you via email or SMS. Your locked files in Personal Vault have an extra layer of security, keeping them more secured in the event that someone gains access to your account or your device.

Personal Vault adds to the robust privacy and security that OneDrive currently offers, including file encryption at rest and in transit, suspicious activity monitoring, ransomware detection and recovery, mass file deletion notification and recovery, virus scanning on download for known threats, and version history for all file types.

Setting up OneDrive Personal Vault, requires you to set it up separately on each device where you want to use it. To use it, after setup, 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. Additionally, Personal Vault can be unlocked with the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Here’s how to set up OneDrive Personal Vault for your account in Windows 10.

• Click here to access OneDrive Personal Vault webpage.
• Sign in to OneDrive if not already. Then click Go to my OneDrive.
• Click on Get started, if this is the first time you see Personal Vault in your OneDrive. (see screenshot below)

• Click on the Personal Vault folder/icon. You’ll be presented with a prompt. (see screenshot below)

• Click Next. You’ll be presented with a prompt. (see screenshot below)

• Click on Verify.
• Select a verification method (text or email) you want to use to get a security code. (see screenshot below)

• Enter the required information for the verification method you selected, and click on Send code. (see screenshot below)

• Enter the security code you received from Microsoft, and click on Verify. (see screenshot below)

• Your OneDrive Personal Vault is now ready for you to use. (see screenshot below)

 

PS: This set up was done via the OneDrice web interface. Setting up Personal Vault via the OneDrive icon on the taskbar notification area is the same process.