Access personal Vault in OneDrive after resetting computer

Open OneDrive on the web with the same personal Microsoft account used before the reset, then unlock Personal Vault there; this determines whether the files remain in the cloud or the problem is limited to the newly reset PC.

1. Check Personal Vault online

1. Open OneDrive in a browser.
2. Sign in with the personal Microsoft account that owned the files before the reset.
3. Under My files, select Personal Vault.
4. Complete identity verification using the offered email, text, PIN, fingerprint, face recognition, or Microsoft Authenticator method.

Personal Vault must be set up separately on each device and requires an additional identity check. Its contents also do not appear in ordinary OneDrive search results.^1^

If the files open online, they are safe in OneDrive and the issue is with the Windows OneDrive installation. Allow any important files to finish syncing before locking the Vault again.^2^

2. If the Vault works online but not on the PC

First select the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows notification area and ensure that it is signed in with the same account. If the Personal Vault shortcut remains missing or cannot open, reset the OneDrive sync application:

1. Press Windows+R.
2. Enter:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

3. Wait for OneDrive to restart. If it does not restart, open Start, search for OneDrive, and launch it.
4. Sign in if prompted and allow the full synchronization to complete.

Resetting OneDrive does not delete cloud files, but it disconnects and rebuilds the synchronization connections. Previously selected folder-sync settings might need to be chosen again.^3^

3. If Personal Vault or its files are absent online

• Check other Microsoft accounts: Sign out and try any other personal account or former email alias you may have used. Files can be stored safely in another OneDrive account.^4^
• Check the online Recycle bin: Open Recycle bin, unlock Personal Vault, and select Show Personal Vault items. Deleted Vault files are visible there only after the Vault is unlocked. Select the files and choose Restore.^4^
• If deletion occurred within the past 30 days: Microsoft 365 subscribers can use Restore your OneDrive to roll the entire OneDrive back to an earlier point. This affects the whole OneDrive; files created after the chosen restore point are moved to the Recycle Bin.^4^

If the Vault requests verification through an email address or phone number you can no longer access, the account’s security information must be recovered or updated before the Vault can be unlocked. Do not create a new Personal Vault while trying to recover the existing files.

References

1. Protect your OneDrive files in Personal Vault
2. Overview
3. Reset OneDrive
4. [Personal](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/find-lost-or-missing-files-in-onedrive)