# Use your Vault in Drime Desktop

Unlock your end-to-end encrypted Vault in Drime Desktop on Windows to work with its files in a local folder that exists only while the Vault is unlocked.

Updated: 2026-10-19  
Source: https://drime.cloud/support/desktop/vault-on-your-computer

Drime Desktop can show your Vault as a folder on your computer. It is your end-to-end encrypted folder: it exists on this computer only while it is unlocked, and its files are decrypted here and nowhere else.

## Before you start

- Create your Vault in the Drime web app first: see [What is Vault?](https://drime.cloud/support/vault/what-is-vault). Otherwise Drime Desktop shows **This account has no Vault yet. Create it in the Drime web app, then come back here.**
- Drime Desktop syncs your personal Vault, on Windows.

## Unlock the Vault

1. Open the Vault.

   In the Drime window opened from the notification area, click **Open Vault**, or go to **Preferences** \> **Sync** \> **Vault**.

2. In **Unlock the Vault**, enter your Vault Pass.

   It is not your account password.

3. Optional: tick **Remember on this device**.

   You no longer type your Vault Pass each time. A key derived from it is kept on this computer, protected by Windows.

The Vault folder appears. Work with its files as with any folder.

## Lock

The Vault locks automatically when you sign out and when Drime quits. When it is locked, the Vault folder is no longer on your computer.

## If it does not work

| Message | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Wrong password.** | Check your Vault Pass. A forgotten Vault Pass cannot be recovered: see [I forgot my Vault Pass](https://drime.cloud/support/vault/forgot-your-vault-pass). |
| **This Vault uses an older format. Open it once in the Drime web app to upgrade it.** | Unlock it once on the web, then try again. |

Vault files cannot get a share link or be shared from File Explorer: they stay encrypted on your device.