Your P-Drive is your personal storage space on the KAUST network. It is a good option for saving documents, work files, and other personal university-related content. It is available by default on KAUST-managed devices, and you can also reach it from a personal device using your KAUST login.
Before you start: you must be connected to the KAUST network.
If you are off campus or in the KAUST residential areas, connect to the KAUST VPN first.
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View the full step-by-step guide: P-Drive How-To Guide (PDF, opens in a new tab)
\\myfiles.kaust.edu.sa\<your-username>\\myfiles.kaust.edu.sa\<your-username>smb://myfiles.kaust.edu.sa/<your-username>myfiles.kaust.edu.sakaustTip: Wherever you see <your-username>, replace it with your actual KAUST username or Portal ID, including the angle brackets.
Both options can store your work files, but they are designed for different needs. In general, use the P-Drive for private personal storage, and Microsoft 365 for cloud access, file sharing, and collaboration.
| Feature or Use Case | P-Drive | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Only accessible to you | Can be shared with others when needed |
| Collaboration | Not designed for collaboration | Supports real-time collaboration and sharing |
| Access location | Requires the KAUST network or VPN | Accessible from anywhere with internet access |
| Mobile access | Not available | Available through Microsoft mobile apps |
| Setup on KAUST devices | Available by default | Available by default |
| Microsoft Teams integration | No | Yes |
| Version history and file recovery | Limited or not available | Built-in version history and file recovery |
| Best for | Private storage, and older applications that rely on mapped drives | Sharing, syncing, teamwork, and cloud-based work |
| Data location | Stored on KAUST infrastructure | Stored in Microsoft cloud services |
| Legacy software compatibility | Often works well with mapped-drive workflows | May not support direct file path requirements in older software |
Not sure which option to use?
Choose the P-Drive when you need private storage on the KAUST network, or when you work with older applications that rely on mapped drives.
Choose Microsoft 365 when you need cloud access, easy sharing, version history, or collaboration through tools like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.