I have overwritten a file in Google Drive

Google Workspace

I have overwritten a file in Google Drive support guide illustration.

View past activity

  1. On your computer, go to drive.Google.com.
  2. On the left click My Drive.
  3. In the upper right, click Info Information.
  4. To see recent changes, click Activity.
  5. To see the activity of a specific file or folder, click the file or folder.
  6. To see older changes, scroll down on the right side.

Save and restore recent versions

Only the most recent versions of past documents will be saved, unless you click Keep forever.

Download recent versions

  1. You can download and keep old copies of PDF files, images, and other files stored in Google Drive.
  2. On your computer, go to drive.Google.com.
  3. Click on the file you want to download.
  4. At the top right, click More.
  5. Click Manage versions.
  6. Next to the version you want to download, click More.
  7. To save a copy to your computer, click Download.

Restore previous version

  1. On your computer, go to drive.Google.com.
  2. Open the file you want to restore.
  3. At the top left click 'File'
  4. Go to 'Version History' then click 'See version history'.
  5. On the right hand side, click on the version you wish to restore
  6. Click 'Restore this version' in the top right

Upload a new version

  1. On your computer, go to drive.Google.com.
  2. Click on the file you want to replace.
  3. At the top right, click More.
  4. Click Manage versions.
  5. Click Upload new version.

Note: If you upload a new version of a file owned by someone else, the original owner will stay the same.

Delete an older version

  1. On your computer, go to drive.Google.com.
  2. Click on the file you want to replace.
  3. At the top right, click More.
  4. Click Manage versions.
  5. Next to the version you want to delete, click More and then Delete.

Video Example

Restore Previous Version