A distributed peer-to-peer document archive system provides version-control, security, access control, linking among stored documents and remote access to documents usually associated with centralized storage systems while still providing the simplicity, personalization and robustness to network outages associated with personal and peer-to-peer storage systems. A “keyring” is an encrypted repository that allows a user to recover and access a user's entire digital archive with a single master key. After the key is created, it does not need to be updated, and can be stored in a safe, safety-deposit box or other secure location. In the event the user's computer is stolen or destroyed, the user need only install the system on a new machine and import the master key. The system will then use that key to browse nearby servers to find and decrypt all files necessary to recreate the full digital archive in its most recent state.