Microsoft announces OneDrive Personal Vault to protect your secret files

Microsoft today announced a new feature called Personal Vault for OneDrive users. Personal Vault is a protected area within OneDrive that can be accessed only 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. So, files in the Personal Vault will be protected even when someone gains access to your account or your device. You can also directly add files to OneDrive Personal Vault from OneDrive mobile apps.

Personal Vault is not just 2-factor authenticated folder inside OneDrive. On Windows 10 PCs, OneDrive syncs your Personal Vault files to a BitLocker-encrypted area of your local hard drive. Personal Vault automatically relocks on your PC, device, or online after a short period of inactivity. Once locked, you need reauthentication to access the files.

OneDrive Personal Vault will be available soon in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada and will be available to all regions by the end of the year. OneDrive free users and standalone users can store a limited number of files in Personal Vault whereas Office 365 subscribers can store unlimited files.