Google: Managing Drive File Versions and History

Environment

U-M Google, Drive

Issue

How do I locate previous versions of a Google Drive file?

Resolution

To check when a file was added and manage its version history:

  1. Go to U-M Google Drive on the web.
  2. Locate the file you want to check.
  3. Click More (three vertical dots) to the right of the file.
  4. Hover over File Information in the drop-down menu and select Manage versions.
  5. Scroll to find previous versions in the side panel that appears.

Note: Only the most recent versions of files are saved automatically. To keep a version indefinitely, click Keep forever next to the version you want to preserve.

Additional Information

Older versions may be deleted after 30 days or after 100 versions are stored. To avoid deletion, open the context menu on the file version and click Keep forever. Versions are displayed in the order they were uploaded to Drive. Version history for Docs, Sheets, and Slides is different from file versions in Google Drive. Learn how to access the history of changes for Google files.

For more details on managing file versions and restoring previous versions in Google Drive, visit the Google Help Center: Check activity & file versions.

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.

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