Searchable PDF library

Document Vault

Add your PDF collection into one organised vault and instantly search across multiple files at once.

Download Document Vault

FREE
WINDOWS 10 AND 11
NO ACCOUNT NEEDED

Centralised library

All your PDFs in one searchable vault.

Cross-file search

Search across multiple files simultaneously.

Categorisation & filtering

Organise with categories, tags, and filters.

Personal notes

Attach notes to any document.

Flexible interface

Dock panels and arrange your workspace however you need.

Stays on your PC

No cloud uploads, no accounts required.

Windows 10/11 · Free · Microsoft Store

Document Vault, in practice

A closer look at Document Vault in everyday use.

Searching across the whole document library

Filtering and tagging a PDF collection

How it works

Search every PDF specification, drawing and report in one place

Document Vault keeps a searchable index of the PDFs you choose. The files stay where they are on your PC - the vault records where each one lives and the text on every page.

Setting up a project library

Click Add to pick a single PDF, or Add Multiple to bring in a whole folder, including its subfolders.
The vault reads each file's details, such as title, author, subject and keywords, and the text on every page.
Use Set Category to group files - for example Specifications, Drawings or Subcontract orders - and Set Note to add a reminder against a file.
Run Scan Vault after files change. It reports files that have been updated, files it can no longer find, and pages whose text has changed.

Finding a clause across a whole job

Type a word or phrase into Keyword Search. Every page that contains all of your words is listed, with the file name and page number. Put words in quotes to find an exact phrase, such as "fire stopping" or "practical completion". Double-click a result to open that page in the preview with the matches highlighted.

What it is, and what it is not

Document Vault is a search index, not an encrypted store. It does not copy, move or lock your files. Search works on the text inside each PDF, so scanned drawings with no text layer will not show up in results.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to install anything to use Document Vault?

You'll install Document Vault via the Microsoft Store, same as any other Keystone app, and it's free to try.

Do I need an account to use Document Vault?

No. There's no account and no sign-in - install it free from the Microsoft Store and start.

Who is Document Vault built for?

Anyone managing a large personal or project library of PDFs who wants fast cross-file search without cloud storage.

Are my PDFs copied or uploaded anywhere?

No. Your PDFs stay in their existing folders and are not uploaded. The search index Document Vault builds is saved on your PC, in your Windows user profile.

Can Document Vault search scanned PDFs?

Only if the scan has a text layer. Document Vault searches the text stored inside each PDF and does not run text recognition (OCR) on images, so a plain image scan will not appear in search results.

What happens if I move or update a file?

Run Scan Vault. It checks every file in the vault, re-reads any that have changed, and lists any it can no longer find at their saved location so you know what to add again.