File versioning (version history)
Also known as: version history, file version control, previous versions
File versioning keeps older copies of a file each time you save changes, so you can restore a previous version or recover from a bad edit. Cloud services store these versions on their servers, usually without using extra space on your own device.
- Stores prior copies so you can roll back edits
- Retention window varies by service and plan
- Usually kept in the cloud, not on local disk
How version history works
Each time a file is saved and synced, the service snapshots the prior state. You can open a file’s version history and roll back to an earlier copy — useful after a mistaken edit, an unwanted overwrite, or a ransomware-style change.
Most consumer cloud services retain versions for a set window (often around 30 days), while paid or business tiers keep them longer. OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive all expose version history from the right-click or file menu.
Versioning and storage space
Older versions live on the provider’s servers and normally do not count against your local disk. Whether they count toward your cloud quota varies by service — many exclude prior versions from your usage, but check your plan if your account looks unexpectedly full.
Version history overlaps with backup but is not the same: it protects against changes to files that still exist, whereas a backup also protects against an entire device or library being lost.