Organizing files with folders and the Bin

Why do my folders show as "Encrypted folder (unlock vault)"?

Folder names are encrypted under your vault key for privacy. If you see this message, your vault is locked in the current session. To view folder names:

1. Unlock your vault by entering your master password
2. Keep the tab open while the vault key is in memory

Once the vault is unlocked, folder names decrypt automatically.

How do I create or rename folders?

Creating and renaming folders requires an unlocked vault:

1. Make sure your vault is unlocked (see above)
2. Use the folder creation or rename options in your Files dashboard

3. Your browser encrypts the folder name under your vault key before sending it to ShieldFive

If the vault is locked, folder operations are blocked to protect your privacy.

What is the Bin and how does it work?

The Bin is a special folder that holds deleted files before permanent removal:

• Created automatically the first time you need it (requires vault key)

• Files deleted from any folder are moved to the Bin (soft delete)

• Files can be restored from the Bin back to their original location

• Deleting from the Bin permanently removes files (cannot be recovered)

Can I move or nest the Bin folder?

No. The Bin is always a top-level folder and cannot be moved or nested inside other folders. This special treatment ensures deleted files are easy to find and manage.

What happens when I delete a file?

ShieldFive uses a two-step deletion process for safety:

1. First deletion (from any folder): File moves to the Bin. Your data is still recoverable at this stage.

2. Second deletion (from Bin): File is permanently deleted from storage. This cannot be undone.

Permanently deleted files are removed from your vault and cannot be restored from it. Storage keeps the deleted encrypted copy for up to 30 days as a safety window, then erases it; see the Privacy Policy.

How many folder levels can I create?

You can nest folders up to 5 levels deep. This limit prevents overly complex folder structures and protects against circular references (folders that contain themselves). If you try to move a folder into one of its own subfolders, the operation will be blocked.

How does folder search work?

Folder search works only when your vault key is active:

• With vault key active: Search matches encrypted folder names and shows results

• Without vault key: Only folders currently visible in memory can be searched

This ensures your folder names remain private while still being searchable when you're authenticated.

Does moving a file to the Bin revoke share links?

No. Moving a file to the Bin does not automatically revoke active share links. To stop others from accessing a shared file:

1. Use the "Unshare" option to revoke the link, or

2. Permanently delete the file from the Bin (this also revokes all shares)