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Restore an earlier file version in Proton Drive Free

Replace a fictional file, restore its earlier version and check the contents. Understand Drive Free’s ten-version, seven-day limit.

HoldMyTwist · 2 min read

Layered documents showing an earlier version lifted forward

If you overwrite a file in Proton Drive, its earlier content may still be in version history. Free keeps up to 10 versions for up to seven days (opens in a new tab), so check promptly.

Practise with a small text file whose original you keep locally. This example changes two garden layouts to three, then restores the first draft.

Before you start

To recover an earlier version of your own uploaded file, sign in to the Proton account that holds it. Skip the practice upload in section 1 and start at section 2, using your own file and expected content. A new account will not contain its version history. For the fictional practice exercise: Create a Proton Drive Free account (opens in a new tab) or use your existing account. Have a small practice file ready, keep its original locally and check your available storage.

1. Upload two versions of a practice file

  1. Open Drive (opens in a new tab).
  2. Upload practice-plan.txt containing: Task: compare two garden layouts. Status: first draft.
  3. Keep a local copy. Change the file to: Task: compare three garden layouts. Status: revised draft.
  4. Upload the changed file into the same folder, with the same name and extension.
  5. In Duplicate found, select Replace existing folder or file, then Continue. Use this only on the practice file.
Replace the practice file to create another version of the same file.

Proton Drive Duplicate found dialog with Replace existing folder or file selected

Proton Drive Duplicate found dialog with Replace existing folder or file selected

Replace the practice file to create another version of the same file.

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2. Select the earlier version

  1. After upload finishes, open the file's three-dot More options menu.
  2. Choose See version history.
  3. Find the earlier entry. Use its Preview or Download action to inspect it first.
  4. Choose Restore version. Read the confirmation and click Restore.

Watch out

Free version history is short: up to 10 versions and seven days. It is not a permanent archive. Keep a separate original for anything important, and check the earlier content before restoring. Restoration keeps the other available versions in history.

3. Check the restored content

Close version history and preview the file. It should say two garden layouts and first draft. Download a copy to compare it with your local original.

Proton Drive preview showing two garden layouts after restoring an earlier version

Proton Drive preview showing two garden layouts after restoring an earlier version
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If the earlier version is absent

Check the folder and filename. If the file itself is missing, check Proton Drive Trash in case it was deleted. If you selected Keep both during upload, you created another file instead of replacing this one. A version outside Free's retention limit may no longer be available.

To rehearse replacing and restoring a disposable file, start with Proton Drive Free (opens in a new tab) and keep the local original. For a real file, use the account that holds its history; a new account cannot supply an earlier version.

Source: Version history and Free limits (opens in a new tab).

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