Getting Started with PreVeil Cloud Drive

Introducing PreVeil Cloud Drive

Cloud Drive modernizes secure file storage by pairing a cloud-first architecture with the same desktop-native workflow users already know. Your PreVeil Drive still appears directly in your file explorer, so files look and behave just like normal files on your computer—while remaining protected by PreVeil’s end-to-end encryption.

For new users, this means getting started with a secure storage system that feels familiar from day one. You can browse, open, and manage files directly from your file explorer without learning a new interface or workflow.

For existing PreVeil Drive users, Cloud Drive represents an evolution of the original Drive model.

Previously, PreVeil Drive stored a full local copy of every file in your Drive directory. Any file visible in Windows File Explorer was fully downloaded to your device and required available space on your hard drive.

Cloud Drive introduces a more flexible, cloud-first approach. Your Drive directory still appears in Windows File Explorer, but files and folders are stored in the cloud by default. They remain visible and accessible, but they only take up space on your device when you choose to pin them.

Pinned files and folders are downloaded and kept locally so they remain available offline. Unpinned items stay cloud-only, helping reduce local storage usage while still appearing seamlessly in your Drive.

This model preserves the familiar PreVeil experience while offering several key advantages:

• Reduced local storage requirements since files don’t need to be fully downloaded

• Flexible offline access by pinning the files you need locally

• Lower endpoint exposure by limiting the amount of sensitive data stored on devices

• Scalable, cloud-managed storage that simplifies management for organizations

With Cloud Drive, users keep the same intuitive file explorer experience, while organizations gain a more efficient and secure way to manage encrypted data in the cloud.

System Requirements

To ensure security and compliance with frameworks like CMMC and NIST 800-171, Cloud Drive has the following requirements:

• Supported: Microsoft Windows 11 (64-bit).

• Unsupported: Windows 10 is no longer supported as it does not receive necessary security updates from its manufacturer.

  • Installation: Attempting to install on Windows 10 will stop the installer.

Antivirus Exclusions

Exclude certain folders when using a file-level antivirus software.

Exclude the following folders and their content. The wildcard character (*) may assist in covering sub-items.

• C:\PreVeil

• C:\PreVeilData

• C:\Users\<Insert Computer Username>\AppData\Local\PreVeil

• In some cases

  • C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PreVeil.CloudDriveProvider*

Example of Norton Antivirus Real-Time Protection and Scan settings, excluding PreVeil program directories.

Open

Open

How to Install or Upgrade

Visit the PreVeil desktop installer page, download the installer, and run the installer.

1. Go to http://www.preveil.com/download

2. Download the software installation file

3. Run the installer
   Note: most operating systems require admin privileges to run the full installation

4. Refresh the browser page and verify the installation number is 6.0.0 or higher

Open

Upgrading from Legacy PreVeil Drive

When you first upgrade, you will see two folders in your directory:

Open

1. Folder 1 (Cloud Drive): Your new cloud-first directory.

    

2. Folder 2 (Original Drive): It is set apart in C:\Users\<Insert Username>\ and renamed <PreVeil-<Email Address>>_archived_<Date>. It holds all your synced files from pre-Cloud Drive.

    

3. Action Required: Confirm your data is visible in the new Cloud Drive folder before deleting the original local directory.

Understanding File States (Icon Guide)

Cloud Drive uses status icons in Windows File Explorer to show you where your data is stored, its state, and permissions.

Icon	State	Description

Icon	State	Description
Open	Cloud Only	The cloud icon indicates a folder is stored in the cloud—the default state of all data.
Open	Locally Available	Files that have been opened and temporarily downloaded to your device. They remain available for a short time and may be automatically removed by Windows to free up space.
Open	Permanently available	Files or folders that are stored locally and always available offline. Set by selecting Always keep on this device. To remove the local copy, select Free up space.
Open	Syncing	The file is currently syncing. This occurs when changes are being uploaded or downloaded.
Open	Error	A sync error has occurred. The file may not be up to date.
Open	Locked	The file is locked for editing by another user. You cannot modify it until it is unlocked. You can also manually lock or unlock files from the right-click menu. If you edit a file then the padlock does not appear but will appear to other participants of the shared folder Also used to indicate read-only permission to a folder.
Open	View-Only Folder Permission	You have view-only access. Files cannot be added, edited, or deleted. Opening the folder redirects you to the PreVeil web app.
Open	Shared folder	The folder is shared with other users. Use Share to view or manage permissions
Open	Cloud Lock	The Cloud Lock setting has been enabled and applies to the PreVeil Cloud Drive folder.

Core Workflows

How to Save Space

By default, files stay in the cloud. To manage local storage:

1. To save the file to the computer: Right-click a file/folder and select Always keep on this device.

Open

2. To Remove Local Copy: Right-click and select Free up space to return the file to "Cloud Only" status.

   Open

   

Sharing and Collaboration

• Sharing: Right-click the folder > PreVeil > Share. This opens the PreVeil app to manage permissions.

Open

Open

Copy Link

Copies the URL to the folder for use by participants of the folder. Note that the share link in and of itself does not share the folder or make the folder public. The link will only open for the owner and the accepted participants of a shared folder. To make someone a participant of the folder see Folder Sharing.

• File Locking: Cloud Drive handles file locking automatically. Legacy Office add-ins for auto-locking are incompatible and no longer required.

   

• Version History: If conflicts occur during offline editing, navigate to the file in your browser, select Details, and choose Get Version History.
  
  

• Cloud Editor: The legacy cloud editor that uses the Handle Sysinternal tool is incompatible and no longer required.

   

Organizational Security: Cloud Lock

Your organization may enable Cloud Lock to strictly control sensitive data.

Open

Shortcut for organization administrators: http://127.0.0.1:4003/admin/cloud-settings.

• If Cloud Lock is Enabled:
  
  

  • You cannot keep permanent local copies of files (Always-keep is disabled).
    
    

  • Any file or folder that was kept on the device is collapsed to the cloud.
    
    

  • All organization members are notified by PreVeil mail

     

  • Files download temporarily only while open and are removed immediately after closing.

     

  • Files cannot be moved out of the PreVeil Drive folder.

Search

The search function in File Explorer is able to search both files/folders kept on the computer and in the cloud. It searches the file names against the query, and does not search the contents of files.

Change Location of the Drive folder

The user must have admin rights

1. Set the environment variable PREVEIL_CLOUD_DRIVE_SYNC_ROOT_DIR to the path to use as the custom drive location.

   1. In the Windows search bar, type in the search term environmental variable.

   2. Select the Edit system environmental variables option from the list of results.

   3. Click on the Environmental Variables button.

   4. Click the New button under the User Variables for User section.

   5. In the Variable name field, enter PREVEIL_CLOUD_DRIVE_SYNC_ROOT_DIR

   6. In the Variable value field, enter the location of where you want to move the local sync directory to.

      Open

      

2. Run the attached script below to reset a user's sync root in a non-elevated PowerShell window for the user that you want to have a custom drive location set, e.g., .\reset-user-syncroot.ps1 -UserId ivalencia+a1@preveil.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cloud Drive?

Cloud Drive is PreVeil’s cloud-first file storage. Files appear in File Explorer, are encrypted end-to-end, and download on demand.

Do Cloud Drive files take up space on my computer?

No. Files are cloud-only by default and do not use local storage unless you select Keep on this device.

How do I make files available offline?

Right-click a file or folder and select Keep on this device. This stores the file locally so you can access it without internet.

What happens if I open a file but don’t keep it on my device?

The file downloads temporarily while in use. It may be automatically removed later to free up space.

Can I use Cloud Drive without internet?

Yes, but only for files marked Always keep on this device.

What happens if two people edit a file at the same time?

Changes will sync when you reconnect. If there are conflicts, you can review the version history to compare updates

Why can’t I keep files on my device?

Your organization may have Cloud Lock enabled. When enabled, files cannot be stored locally.

Can I move files out of the PreVeil Drive folder?

No. When Cloud Lock is enabled, files cannot be moved outside the PreVeil Drive directory

Why can’t I search inside files?

Cloud Drive search only supports file names. File contents are not indexed

What happens to my old Drive after upgrading?

Your original folder is kept for comparison. You should verify your files exist in the new Cloud Drive folder before removing old data.

What will happen if I attempt to install on Windows 10?

The installer will be stopped.

Open