How to View and Restore Previous Versions in OneDrive
You can use OneDrive Version History to look back at older versions of any file you store in OneDrive. Whether you work on the web or in File Explorer, you get the same easy way to see changes over time. Microsoft now lets you do this with every file type, not just Office documents. That means you can recover a PDF, a photo, or even a video if you need to. When you restore a version, you replace your current file but keep the old one safe in history.
Key Takeaways
You can look at and bring back old versions of any file in OneDrive, like documents, photos, PDFs, and videos.
You can see version history on the OneDrive website or in your OneDrive folder in File Explorer on your computer.
You can check old versions before you restore them to make sure you choose the right one, and your current file will be saved as a new version.
OneDrive saves many versions of your files, but there are limits like how big the file is and how many versions you can have, depending on your account type.
If you restore a version, old sharing links might not work, so you may need to make new links after you restore.
OneDrive Version History Web
Access Version History
You can check the history of any file in your OneDrive right from your web browser. This works for all file types, like Word documents, PDFs, photos, and even videos. Here’s how you do it:
Go to the OneDrive website and sign in with your account.
Find the folder or file you want to check.
Right-click on the file. If you’re on a touchscreen, tap the three dots (…).
Choose Version history from the menu.
You’ll see a list of all the changes made to that file. The list shows the date, time, and who made each change.
💡 Tip: You can only view the version history for one file at a time. If you want to check another file, just repeat these steps.
Preview and Restore
When you open OneDrive Version History, you get a clear list of all the versions saved for your file. You can click on any version to preview it before you decide to restore. This helps you make sure you’re picking the right one.
To restore a previous version:
In the version list, find the version you want.
Click on the three dots next to that version.
Select Restore. OneDrive will replace your current file with the version you picked. Don’t worry—your current file becomes a new version in the history, so you can always go back if you change your mind.
📝 Note: OneDrive Version History supports all file types, but you can only restore one file at a time.
Here’s a quick look at some limits you might want to know:
OneDrive keeps versions of .pst files (Outlook data files) for only 30 days. These files change a lot and can take up a lot of space.
Microsoft recommends not storing active .pst files in OneDrive because they sync less often and can cause problems.
OneDrive Version History gives you a simple way to undo mistakes or bring back lost content. You can feel confident knowing your files are safe and easy to recover.
OneDrive Version History Desktop
File Explorer Access
You can use OneDrive Version History right from your computer. If you have OneDrive set up on your PC, you will see your OneDrive folder in File Explorer. This makes it easy to check older versions of your files without opening a web browser.
Here’s how you do it:
Open File Explorer and go to your OneDrive folder.
Find the file you want to check.
Right-click the file.
Select Version history from the menu.
A window will pop up showing all the saved versions of your file. You will see the date, time, and who made each change. This works for any file type, like documents, photos, or videos.
📝 Note: OneDrive Version History only works for files inside your local OneDrive folder. If you store files on an external drive or outside the OneDrive folder, you will not see version history for those files. OneDrive tracks changes only for files that sync with your account.
Files in your OneDrive folder get backed up automatically if you have File History set up.
If you want to see a file in version history, you must save or change it at least once after you add it to OneDrive.
Files on external drives or outside the OneDrive folder do not get tracked by OneDrive Version History.
Restore from Desktop
Restoring an older version of a file is simple. You do not need to open any extra apps. You can do everything from File Explorer.
To restore a previous version:
After you open the Version history window, look through the list of versions.
Click on the version you want to bring back. You can preview it to make sure it is the right one.
Select Restore. OneDrive will replace your current file with the version you picked.
Your current file does not disappear. OneDrive saves it as a new version. This way, you can always go back if you change your mind.
💡 Tip: The process on your desktop is almost the same as using OneDrive on the web. You get the same options to preview and restore. You can only restore one file at a time, but you can repeat the steps for any file in your OneDrive folder.
If you want to keep your files safe, always use your local OneDrive folder for important documents. OneDrive Version History gives you a backup for every change you make. You do not have to worry about losing your work or making a mistake.
Restore Details and Limits
What Happens When Restoring
When you restore a previous version in OneDrive, your current file gets replaced with the older one you picked. The file changes right away. The Modified Date updates to show when you did the restore, not when the old version was made. You do not lose your current file. OneDrive saves it as a new version in the history. This means you can always go back if you want.
Here’s what happens step by step:
The file you had before goes into version history.
You can still get any version from the history list.
⚠️ Heads up: If you use sharing links for your files, restoring a version might make those links stop working. You may need to make new links and tell people about the change. Sharing permissions usually stay the same, but the links themselves might not work anymore.
Version Limits and Retention
OneDrive Version History helps you fix mistakes or get back deleted files. You can use it to recover files you wrote over or deleted by accident. For personal accounts, you can see up to 25 old versions of each file. If you use OneDrive for Business, your organization might let you keep more versions or set different limits.
Here’s a quick comparison:
You can also see changes in shared folders, like when someone deletes or moves a file. If you need to get back many files at once, Microsoft 365 subscribers can use the rollback feature on the web. This lets you restore everything to how it was in the last 30 days.
💡 Tip: Always check your version history before making big changes. It gives you a safety net for your important files.
You can get your files back fast with version history. Many people use it to fix mistakes or bring back lost work. It also helps if you want to undo changes you did not mean to make.
You get strong data safety, can work offline, and share files easily with Office apps.
Using version history often helps you see changes and keep your files organized.
If you have problems, Microsoft’s support page gives easy steps to help. Both the web and desktop ways work for every file type, so you always have a backup.
FAQ
Can I recover a file if I deleted it from OneDrive?
Yes! You can find deleted files in your OneDrive Recycle Bin. Just open the Recycle Bin, select your file, and click Restore. Your file will go back to its original folder.
Does OneDrive keep versions of shared files?
Absolutely. OneDrive tracks changes for shared files, too. You can view and restore previous versions, even if someone else made the changes. Just follow the same steps as you would for your own files.
How long does OneDrive keep old versions?
For personal accounts, OneDrive keeps up to 25 versions of each file. If you use OneDrive for Business, your company might set a higher limit. You can always check your version history to see what’s available.
Can I restore multiple files at once?
No, you can only restore one file at a time using version history. If you need to recover many files, try the “Restore your OneDrive” feature on the web. This lets you roll back your whole OneDrive to a previous date.
What happens to my sharing links after I restore a version?
⚠️ Heads up: Restoring a version might break old sharing links. You may need to create new links and share them again. Your sharing permissions usually stay the same, but always double-check after restoring.