How to Use OneDrive Version History to Restore Files

You can get back older versions of your files easily with OneDrive Version History. This tool helps you fix mistakes, repair broken files, and get back lost work. Here are some ways people use it:

1. Restore files that were changed or replaced by mistake.

2. Get back documents after malware or file damage.

3. Find missing files or bring back deleted content.

OneDrive Version History saves changes, so you can always recover what you need.

Key Takeaways

• OneDrive Version History lets you see and bring back old versions of your files. This helps you fix mistakes or get back lost work.

• You can use version history on the web, in File Explorer, or in Office apps like Word and Excel.

• When you restore an old version, your current file is not deleted. The old version becomes the new one, but all versions stay safe.

• OneDrive keeps many versions for up to 30 days. You should act fast to restore important files before old versions are gone.

• Version History works with most file types. It helps you see changes, manage files, and work safely with others.

OneDrive Version History Overview

What It Does

You might wonder what happens behind the scenes when you save a file in OneDrive. OneDrive Version History keeps track of every change you make. This feature lets you look back at older versions of your files, compare changes, and bring back anything you lost or changed by mistake.

• You can view, track, and restore previous versions of files stored in your OneDrive.

• The feature works with all file types, like Word documents, PDFs, photos, and videos.

• You get to see who made changes and when, which helps if you share files with others.

• You can restore an older version without losing the current one. The restored version just becomes the new current version.

• You can use this feature on the web, in Office apps, or in File Explorer if you have the OneDrive sync app.

Tip: You don’t have to worry about losing your current work. When you restore an older version, OneDrive saves the current version in the history, so you can always go back again.

Why Use It

You probably update your files often. Mistakes can happen, or you might want to see what changed over time. OneDrive Version History gives you peace of mind because you can always go back.

Here are some reasons you might use it:

1. Track changes over time, especially if you work on big projects or share files with others.

2. Manage your files better by deleting old versions you don’t need, which helps save space.

3. Recover files that got changed or deleted by accident.

4. Keep your files organized and make sure you never lose important information.

5. Meet audit or compliance needs if you need to show how a file changed.

If you ever delete a file, OneDrive keeps it in the recycle bin for a while. You can still get it back unless it’s been permanently removed.

With OneDrive Version History, you stay in control of your files. You can fix mistakes, recover lost work, and keep your files tidy.

Restore on Web

Access Version History

You can use OneDrive on the web to look at older versions of your files. This is helpful if you want to see what changed or if you need to fix a mistake. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Open your web browser and go to the OneDrive website.

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

3. Find the file you want to check. You can use the search bar or browse your folders.

4. Right-click the file or click the three dots (•••) next to it.

5. Choose Version History from the menu.

You will now see a list of all the saved versions for that file. Each version shows the date, time, and the name of the person who made the change. This makes it easy to track who did what and when.

Tip: You can only restore one file at a time using OneDrive Version History on the web.

Preview Versions

Before you bring back an older version, you might want to see what it looks like. OneDrive lets you preview any version right in your browser. Here’s what you do:

1. In the Version History list, click on the date or version you want to check.

2. The file will open in a new window or tab. You can look through the content and see if it’s the one you need.

3. If you want to compare two versions, you can open them in separate tabs and look at them side by side.

This preview helps you make sure you pick the right version before you restore it.

Note: You can also see who edited each version and when they made changes. This is useful if you share files with others.

Restore a Version

Once you find the version you want, you can restore it with just a few clicks. Here’s how:

1. In the Version History pane, select the version you want to bring back.

2. Click the Restore button.

3. OneDrive will make this version the newest one. The current version will not be deleted—it just moves down in the history list.

4. The restored file will open so you can check your changes.

You can repeat these steps any time you need to go back to a different version. OneDrive Version History keeps your files safe and lets you fix mistakes quickly.

Tip: If you want to delete an old version, you can do that from the Version History menu. Deleted versions go to the recycle bin, so you can still get them back if you need to.

Restore in File Explorer

Restoring files in File Explorer feels familiar if you already use Windows. You do not need to open your browser or sign in again. You can manage your files right from your desktop. Let’s walk through the process together.

Open Version History

You can start by finding the file you want to restore in your OneDrive folder on your computer. Here’s how you can open the version history:

1. Open File Explorer and go to your OneDrive folder.

2. Find the file you want to check.

3. Right-click the file.

4. Select Version history from the menu.

A new window will pop up. This window shows you all the saved versions of your file. You can see the date, time, who made the change, and even the file size. This helps you pick the right version, especially if you share files with others.

Tip: You can use this feature for any file type that syncs with OneDrive, not just Office documents.

Select and Restore

Now you can look through the list and decide which version you want to bring back. Here’s what you do next:

1. In the Version History window, scroll to find the version you want.

2. Click the three dots next to that version.

3. Choose Restore to make that version the current one.

You can also open or download older versions if you want to check them first. This gives you a chance to compare before you make any changes.

Note: OneDrive Version History in File Explorer works a lot like the web version, but you do everything from your desktop. You do not need to open a browser or switch apps. You can only restore one file at a time, just like on the web.

OneDrive keeps older versions for up to 30 days before deleting them automatically. If you need to recover something, try to do it soon.

Using OneDrive Version History in File Explorer makes restoring files quick and easy. You stay in control of your files without leaving your desktop.

Restore in Office Apps

You can restore older versions of your Office files right inside Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. If you save your documents in OneDrive, you do not need to leave the app or open a browser. This makes fixing mistakes or getting back lost work super easy.

Use File Menu

Start by opening your file in the Office app. You will use the File menu to find the version history. Here is how you do it:

1. Open your document in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

2. Click the File tab at the top left. This opens the Backstage view.

3. Look for the Version History option near the Manage Versions button.

4. Click to see a list of all saved versions.

5. Pick a version to view it. You can compare it with your current file.

6. If you want, restore that version or just close it if you do not need it.

Tip: You can use this method for any Office file stored in OneDrive. All Office file types support version history restoration, so you never have to worry about losing your work.

Restore from Version List

You might want to bring back an older version after checking the list. Here is what you need to do:

1. Open your file in the Office app.

2. Click the file name at the top or go to File > History.

3. Select Version History from the menu.

4. Choose the version you want. It will open in a new window.

5. Click Restore to make it the current version.

If you use a Mac, you can click the document name on the title bar and select Browse Version History. For web users, open the file, go to File, and pick Version History.

You do not need to switch to OneDrive or SharePoint. Everything happens inside your Office app. OneDrive Version History keeps all your changes safe and easy to access.

Restoring files in Office apps saves you time and helps you stay focused on your work. You can always go back if you make a mistake or want to see what changed.

Limits and Settings

Version Limits

You may ask how many versions OneDrive saves. The number depends on your account. If you have a personal account, OneDrive Version History keeps up to 500 versions for about 30 days. Business accounts let admins set the limit. It can be 500 versions or even 500 days. When you hit the limit, OneDrive deletes the oldest versions first. These deleted versions do not go to the Recycle Bin. You cannot get them back. If you delete a version yourself, it goes to the Recycle Bin. It stays there until the time runs out.

• Admins can change version limits for business accounts.

• You can only get back versions still in the limit.

• Versions do not use up your storage space.

Tip: Try to restore important versions before they are gone. Once OneDrive removes them, you cannot get them back.

Retention Policies

Retention policies help keep your files safe for a set time. These rules decide how long OneDrive keeps your files and their versions. Admins can set these rules for everyone or just some folders. If you change or delete a file during this time, OneDrive saves a copy in a special place called the Preservation Hold library. This copy stays until the rule ends.

You can change these settings in the Microsoft Purview portal. You can also ask your admin for help.

Supported Files

OneDrive Version History works with almost every file you upload. You can track changes for documents, photos, videos, and more. Some special files, like .aspx or .jar, need extra permissions to work. Older SharePoint servers may block some files, like .json or .svc. Admins can also block or allow file types as needed.

• Most files work with version history.

• Files with special scripts or some extensions may not work unless allowed.

• Files with braces in the name (like filename.{doc}) are blocked.

Note: If you are not sure about a file type, ask your admin or try uploading it to see if OneDrive Version History tracks it.

What Happens When You Restore

Effect on Current File

When you restore a file using OneDrive Version History, you do not lose your current work. Instead, OneDrive takes the older version you picked and makes it the new current file. The content from the version you chose replaces what is in the file right now. You will not see the old version disappear. It just moves down in the list of versions. This way, you can always go back again if you change your mind or need something else.

Note: Restoring a previous version does not delete your latest work. It simply puts the older content at the top, so you can keep working from there.

Let’s say you made a mistake in your document. You can use OneDrive Version History to bring back an earlier version. The mistake is gone, but you can still find the version with the mistake in the history. This gives you a safety net every time you restore.

Version Tracking

You might wonder what happens to your file’s history after you restore. OneDrive keeps tracking every change you make, even after you bring back an older version. The restored file becomes the newest version, and the version you just replaced moves down in the list. You can always see who made each change and when it happened.

• Every time you restore, OneDrive adds a new entry to the version list.

• You can keep restoring as many times as you want, as long as the versions are still saved.

• The version history keeps growing, so you never lose track of your edits.

If you work with others, you can see who restored a version and when. This helps everyone stay on the same page. You always have a clear record of what happened to your files.

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You can bring back your files in a few easy ways. You can use the web, File Explorer, or Office apps. Each way is simple and works for everyone. People like these tools for many reasons:

• You can get your files back fast, even if you make a mistake.

• Working with others is easy because versions are saved for you.

• Your work is safe because of strong security.

• Using Microsoft 365 with these tools helps teams work better.

If you need extra help, Microsoft support can answer harder questions.

FAQ

How do you know if a file has version history in OneDrive?

You can right-click any file in OneDrive and look for the Version History option. If you see it, your file has saved versions. If not, OneDrive has not tracked changes for that file yet.

Can you restore multiple files at once using version history?

No, you can only restore one file at a time. You need to repeat the steps for each file you want to recover. This helps you avoid mistakes and keeps things simple.

What happens if you delete a version by accident?

Don’t worry! Deleted versions go to the Recycle Bin.
You can open the Recycle Bin in OneDrive and restore the version if you need it back. Just act before the bin empties.

Does OneDrive version history work offline?

No, you need an internet connection. OneDrive saves version history in the cloud. You can only view and restore versions when you are online.

Can you use version history on your phone?

Yes!
You can open the OneDrive app on your phone, tap the three dots next to a file, and select Version History. You can view and restore versions right from your mobile device.