Store unlimited files on the free tier of OneDrive Personal Vault

As part of the OneDrive experience, you can also use “Personal Vault,” which is a feature designed specifically to store files (such as documents, personal records, pictures, etc.) with sensitive information. The data upload to this area is protected with encryption and using more robust security with two-factor authentication, in addition to the typical sign-in process.

The only caveat is that Personal Vault is a freemium feature of OneDrive, which means that anyone can use it, but you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to store more than three files. However, if you’re up to the challenge of using some extra steps, there’s a workaround using a zip container that allows you to upload unlimited files (but limited to your OneDrive storage space) to the vault area using the free version of the Microsoft cloud service.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to upload unlimited files to the free version of Personal Vault in OneDrive.

If you don’t want to go through the workaround to use the Personal Vault, then you should consider getting a Microsoft 365 subscription to lift the file restriction on your account.

How to upload unlimited files using the free tier of Personal Vault

The trick to upload as many files as you want to the free version of OneDrive Personal Vault is to group all of your files with sensitive information inside of a zip container, so the service only sees one file in the protected area.

Setting up Personal Vault on Windows 10

To set up OneDrive Personal Vault on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Click the OneDrive icon from the notification area of the taskbar.
2. Click the More button.
3. Select the Unlock Personal Vault option.

   

   Source: Windows Central
   Quick note: You may also see a Get started button when opening the OneDrive app, which can also help you to set up the feature.

4. Click the Next button.

   

   Source: Windows Central

5. Click the Allow button.

   

   Source: Windows Central

6. Confirm your Microsoft account password.
7. Click the Sign in button.
8. Continue with the on-screen directions.

Once you complete the steps, you can start uploading and downloading to the secure area of OneDrive.

If the option isn’t available, check the Personal Vault setting page on your OneDrive account, and make sure to enable the feature.

Uploading unlimited files to Personal Vault

To upload more than three files to the free tier of Personal Vault, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Browse to the folder with the file you want to upload to Personal Vault.
3. Right-click a space on the folder, select the New menu, and click the Compressed (zipped) Folder option.

   

   Source: Windows Central

4. Confirm a descriptive name for the zip folder and press Enter.
5. Select the files you want to protect using OneDrive.
6. Click the Copy button from the “Home” tab.

   

   Source: Windows Central

7. Double-click to open the newly created zip folder.
8. Click the Paste button from the “Home” tab.

   

   Source: Windows Central

9. Click the Back button (Alt + Left arrow keyboard shortcut) to return to your document’s folder.
10. Select the zip folder with the confidential files.
11. Click the Copy button from the Home tab.

    

    Source: Windows Central

12. Click on OneDrive from the left pane.
13. Double-click the Personal Vault shortcut.
14. Verify your account credentials (if applicable).
15. Click the Paste button from the “Home” tab.

    

    Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the zip folder with unlimited files will upload to your free version of the OneDrive Personal Vault.

Retrieve files from Personal Vault

If you ever need to access the files, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on OneDrive from the left pane.
3. Double-click the Personal Vault shortcut.
4. Verify your account credentials (if applicable).
5. Double-click the zip container to access your files.

   

   Source: Windows Central

6. Right-click the document and select the Open option.

Once you complete the steps, you’ll be able to view the contents of the confidential document.

If you need to modify the document, select the file, choose a destination folder from the Compressed Folder Tools tab to extract, and then edit the document from the extraction location. Then right-click the original file from the zip folder and select the Delete option. Finally, copy the newly edited document and paste it inside the zip folder.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

AAAARRRR ME MATEY

Sea of Thieves redefines social gaming in a time of social distancing

Sea of Thieves might just be that weird open-world pirate game for some, but in actuality, it’s done something incredible in the world of social gaming.

Finally!

Set Bing’s daily image as your wallpaper with Microsoft’s new official app

People have been clamoring for a while to be able to automatically add Bing’s daily image as a desktop wallpaper, and now Microsoft has delivered an official way to do so. Microsoft launched the new Bing Wallpaper app today, which will cycle new wallpapers to your desktop each day.

There it is

Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One X video leaks, launches this summer

The Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One X has leaked through an unlisted video, which also revealed that the console is launching in June 2020. Cyberpunk 2077 is set to release on September 17, 2020.

Honey I shrunk the computer!

These are the best PC sticks for when you’re on the move

Instant computer, just add a screen! That’s the general idea of the ultra-portable PC Compute Sticks, but it can be hard to know which one you want. Relax, we’ve got you covered.