What you need to know
- OneDrive Personal Vault is a new feature that secures your documents on the cloud.
- The feature creates a secured area in your OneDrive account.
- It works with a PIN, fingerprint, face, or two-factor authentification.
Microsoft announced OneDrive Personal Vault, a new OneDrive feature that allows you to protect your files on the cloud with an extra layer of security. Personal Vault creates a protected area within OneDrive that requires either a strong authentification method to unlock or two-factor authentification. The feature works with a PIN, fingerprint, face unlock, or a code that's sent to your email address or through a text message. You can also use Personal Vault with the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Personal Vault works on Onedrive.com, PCs, and supported versions of the OneDrive app on Android and iOS.
In addition to placing files into Personal Vault, you can also scan documents, take photos, and shoot videos directly into Personal Vault.
When files are stored in Personal Vault on Windows 10 PCs, the files are synced to a BitLocker-encrypted area of your local hard drive. All OneDrive files are encrypted while they are at-rest in the cloud and when they are in-transit to devices.
Personal Vault will also protect your files by automatically shutting down after a period of inactivity. If you have a file open that is stored in Personal Vault, it will require reauthentification before you can access it.
Personal Vault will roll out first to users in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada and will be generally available to all users by the end of 2019.
OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage solution. It can store photos, documents, videos, and is available on all major platforms.
Cheap PC accessories we love
Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.
Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)
Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.
Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)
This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.
NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)
This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Beoplay Portal for Xbox first look: Premium feel meets puzzling oversights
Bang & Olufsen caught the gaming world off guard with the launch of its ultra-premium Beoplay Portal headset. With an eye-watering $500 price, the headset cost as much as an Xbox Series X. But is it worth it? Here are some early thoughts.
Could Microsoft roll out a handheld Xbox console to take on Nintendo?
Since the dawn of time, man has looked to the heavens and asked, "what if Microsoft made an Xbox handheld?" For fun, let's imagine what that could potentially look like.
Microsoft unveils 'Surface Headphones 2 Plus' with Teams Certification
Microsoft has announced a handful of new devices and accessories today, one of which is an updated pair of Surface Headphones, dubbed the Surface Headphones 2+. Just like the Surface Pro 7+ anounced back in January, the Surface Headphones 2+ are a product built for Microsoft's commercial customers only.
Add a bunch of ports to your Surface Laptop 4 with USB-C hubs and adapters
The Surface Laptop 4's port selection hasn't really changed, and many people will still need a hub or adapter to maximize connectivity. We've rounded up a bunch of the best right here.