Older versions of uploaded PDFs, images, and other non-Google files in Drive are not retained indefinitely by default. Google says a version may be deleted after 30 days or when 100 newer versions exist. Use Keep forever for an important revision while understanding its limits.
Open the binary file’s version list
On a computer, select the correct original in Drive and open More, File information, then Manage versions. Check the revision dates and identify the version you need before changing retention.
This workflow is different from the editing history inside Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides. Do not apply the binary-version retention rule as a description of every Google editor’s history.
Pin and verify the required version
Open the menu next to the older version and choose Keep forever. Google’s instructions describe a checkmark confirming that the selected version will not be removed through the normal version-expiration mechanism.
Download the version as well if an approved independent archive is required, then verify the local contents. Keep clear records of which original and revision the archive represents.
Do not confuse retention with immutability
Keep forever is a version-retention setting, not a guarantee against every authorized deletion, account lifecycle change, or loss of access. Pinned versions can also contribute to cloud storage usage. Review critical records under your organization’s broader retention process and preserve required independent evidence. Before replacing or deleting the parent file, consider the revisions it contains. Avoid claiming that a pin creates an unalterable compliance archive or that every collaborator will retain access after ownership or sharing changes.
References
- Check activity & file versions
- Understand your computer and Google storage when using Drive for Desktop
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.