Version history

See, download and restore earlier versions of a Drive file after uploading a new one with the same name.

When you upload a file with the same name into the same folder, Drive keeps the file it replaced. Open Version history to download an older version or put it back.

Before you start: anyone who can see a file can see and download its versions. Restoring or deleting a version needs edit access to the space.

Open version history

Right-click a file (or open its ⋯ menu) and choose Version history. You see the Current version at the top, then each earlier version, newest first: when it was uploaded, its size, and when and by whom it was replaced.

Version history for a file

Download an older version

Click Download on the version. It saves under the file's name.

Restore a version

  1. Click Restore on the version you want back.
  2. Confirm Restore. The file now has that content. You see "Version restored".

The version that was current is kept in the history, so you can undo a restore by restoring it again.

Delete a version

Click Delete on a version and confirm. It is removed for good and cannot be restored.

Good to know

  • Each file keeps its last 25 versions. When a 26th is made, the oldest is deleted.
  • Uploading exactly the same file again does not add a version.
  • Versions stay with the file when you rename or move it, and come back with it if you restore it from the trash.
  • Deleting a file forever also deletes its versions.
  • Versions count toward your workspace storage.