File versions
Every file in Drive keeps a history of its versions, so replacing a file never overwrites the old one.
Upload a new version
- In Drive, select the file and open the details panel (the ⓘ button).
- Find the versions list and click Upload new version.
- Choose the replacement file.
The new upload becomes the current version. Every earlier version is kept. The button only appears if you can edit the file.
Download or restore an older version
Each version in the list shows its version number (v1, v2…), the file name, the date and time, and the size. The current version is labeled Current.
- Download gets that version's file.
- Restore makes an older version current again. Restore appears only on versions that aren't current, and only if you can edit the file.
Restore doesn't rewind history. It copies the old version and adds the copy as the newest version. For example, if v3 is current and you restore v1, Drive creates v4 with v1's contents. v2 and v3 stay in the list, so nothing is lost. The restore is recorded in the file's activity.
Trash
When you delete a file or folder in Drive, it moves to Trash instead of disappearing. Deleting a folder trashes everything inside it in the same action.
Find items in Trash
Open Trash from the Drive left-hand navigation. Each row shows:
- the name
- its Original location
- when it was Deleted
- its size
Trash lists the item you deleted directly, not every file inside a deleted folder. By default you see only what you deleted yourself. Users with the Manage Drive permission see everyone's trashed items. Items in another person's private My Files stay private, even in Trash.
Restore an item
Click Restore on the row.
- Restoring puts back everything that was trashed in the same action. Restoring a deleted folder brings back exactly what was deleted with it. Items you trashed separately earlier stay in Trash.
- If the original parent folder is still in Trash or no longer exists, the restored item goes into the My Files of the person who deleted it, and it stays private to them. If you restore someone else's item as a manager, it goes to the deleter's My Files, not yours.
- If something with the same name already exists in the destination, Drive renames the restored item with a number, such as "(2)", rather than overwriting.
Only the person who deleted an item, or someone with Manage Drive, can restore it.
Delete forever
The trash can button on a row (Delete forever) permanently removes the item and everything deleted with it, including all of its versions. This can't be undone.
Drive won't delete forever a file that is in use as a product image on a SKU. Remove it from its SKUs first.
Automatic clean-up
Trash shows the notice "Items here are deleted for good after 30 days." After 30 days, Drive removes trashed items permanently. Files still in use as SKU images are kept.
Who can do this
Moving items to Trash and restoring versions both need the Upload, Organize and Share in Drive permission, plus edit access to the file for versions. View Drive alone lets you browse, preview and download.