All Google Drive updates
224 updates to Google Drive tracked so far. Most recent: 2026-10-15 — Preview client-side encrypted PDF and image files directly in Google Drive is now generally available.
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2026-10-15Content & Collaboration
Preview client-side encrypted PDF and image files directly in Google Drive is now generally available.
Google Drive now supports previewing client-side encrypted (CSE) PDF and image files directly within the Drive interface, eliminating the need to download encrypted files to local devices for viewing. Authorized users can instantly preview encrypted content in their web browser, improving productivity while maintaining security. The feature is rolling out to Rapid and Scheduled Release domains starting October 15, 2026, with an extended rollout potentially longer than 15 days. It is available for Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Plus, Frontline Plus, Assured Controls, and Assured Controls Plus editions.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-10-15 • Scheduled: 2026-10-15 -
2026-10-05Content & Collaboration
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Google Drive now renders Markdown files, showing formatted previews with clickable links and structured tables directly in the file viewer.
Drive’s preview pane displays Markdown (.md/.markdown) files as fully formatted documents, complete with styled headings, bulleted lists, tables, and hyperlinks, allowing users to quickly review content without opening Docs. This complements the native Docs editing experience and requires no additional setup.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-10-05 • Scheduled: 2026-10-05 -
2026-09-15Content & Collaboration
Google Workspace admins can now set unified sharing boundaries for Google Drive that combine audience restrictions with data sensitivity controls.
The new capability lets administrators create a single rule in the Admin console that evaluates both data sensitivity (using classification labels or DLP conditions) and audience (via trust rules criteria such as organizational units, groups, or domains). It supports three audience restriction options: block sharing with all external users, allowlist sharing only with specific users, or denylist sharing with specific users while permitting sharing with everyone else. The feature rolls out gradually over up to 15 days starting September 14, 2026 for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains, and is available for Enterprise Standard/Plus, Education Fundamentals/Standard/Plus, Enterprise Essentials, and Frontline Standard/Plus editions.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-09-14 • Scheduled: 2026-09-14 -
2026-08-28Content & Collaboration
Preview client-side encrypted PDF and image files directly in Google Drive (beta).
Google Drive now supports direct file previewing for client-side encrypted (CSE) PDF and image files, enabling authorized users to view encrypted content in their web browser without needing to download the files. Admins with eligible Workspace licenses can sign up for the beta program, which is available for Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Plus, Frontline Plus, Assured Controls, and Assured Controls Plus editions.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-08-28 • Scheduled: 2026-08-28 -
2026-08-28Content & Collaboration
Gemini-based data classification in Google Drive is now available in open beta.
Gemini-powered AI classification in Google Drive is now available in open beta. It automates file identification and labeling, helping organizations enforce DLP policies, set retention rules, and use label metadata in audits. Admins can define instructions for Gemini models to classify files without manual training, retain control, and let end users review or modify labels. Metrics are available in the Admin console. Rollout to Rapid and Scheduled Release domains begins August 28, 2026, completing by September 30, 2026.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-08-28 • Scheduled: 2026-08-28 -
2026-08-03Content & Collaboration
Timestamped comments for videos in Google Drive on the web let users anchor feedback to specific time marks.
Google Drive now supports timestamped comments for video files on the web, enabling reviewers to attach comments to exact moments in a video. Each comment appears as a marker on the video timeline; clicking jumps to that point and highlights the note. Standard commenting features like editing, resolving, replying, and @ mentions remain fully supported. The feature works across Rapid and Scheduled Release domains and is available immediately for all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google accounts.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-08-03 • Scheduled: 2026-08-03 -
2026-06-30Content & Collaboration
Ask Gemini in Drive is now available on Android and iOS mobile apps.
Google has expanded the 'Ask Gemini in Drive' feature to Android and iOS apps, providing a dedicated workspace for high-context, multi-turn conversations to explore content across Drive, other Workspace apps, and the web. The update includes dedicated conversations for specific files and folders, persistent conversation history, and maintains existing security and data protection controls.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-06-26 • Scheduled: 2026-06-26 -
2026-06-08Content & Collaboration
Google Drive introduces alignment approvals to allow document sign-offs without resetting the approval flow when edits are made.
Google Drive is introducing alignment approvals, a lightweight mechanism that allows teams to request and record document sign-offs without file changes resetting the approval flow. By unchecking the 'Require all approvers to review the same content' option in the request dialog, collaborators can continue making edits without resetting recorded approver decisions, though individual approvers retain the flexibility to manually reset their status if subsequent edits no longer match their expectations.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-06-02 • Scheduled: 2026-06-15 -
2026-06-03Content & Collaboration
Gmail threads can now be used as sources in Ask Gemini in Drive.
Ask Gemini in Drive now allows users to add Gmail threads as sources, enabling them to ground responses in a complete view of their business context across emails, files, and folders for more accurate and helpful insights.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-06-03 • Scheduled: 2026-06-03 -
2026-06-01Content & Collaboration
Organize My Files in Drive is now generally available, using Gemini to suggest file organization.
Google Drive has introduced the general availability of 'Organize My Files in Drive'. This feature leverages Gemini to help users reduce digital clutter by suggesting moves for loose files into existing folders or proposing new folder groupings. Users can review, customize, and batch-approve these recommendations through a dedicated 'Suggest File Moves' interface, which supports interactive adjustments like hovercards and inline renaming.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-06-01 • Scheduled: 2026-06-01 -
2026-05-04Content & Collaboration
Bulk import using client-side encryption and the Drive API is now generally available.
Client-side encryption (CSE) customers can now conduct bulk migrations of sensitive files from both cloud and on-premises data sources into Google Drive. This process ensures that confidential content is wrapped with customer-managed keys before being imported, allowing organizations to decommission legacy third-party storage while maintaining the CSE model throughout the document lifecycle using the highly configurable Drive API.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-05-04 • Scheduled: 2026-05-04 -
2026-04-22Content & Collaboration
Ask Gemini in Drive is expanding language support to 28 additional languages.
Google is expanding the language support for Ask Gemini in Drive to include all 29 languages currently supported in the Gemini side panel, rolling out to Rapid and Scheduled release domains over the coming weeks.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-05-06 • Scheduled: 2026-05-26 -
2026-04-22Content & Collaboration
Ask Gemini in Drive is now generally available for eligible Google Workspace and Google AI plans.
Ask Gemini in Drive provides an immersive workspace for high-context, multi-turn conversations to explore and understand content across Drive, Workspace apps, and the web. Key features include dedicated conversations for specific files and folders, 'Drive projects' for curating shared knowledge bases, and persistent conversation history. The tool is integrated into Drive's architecture to ensure it honors existing data protection, security controls, and access permissions.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-04-22 • Scheduled: 2026-05-06 -
2026-04-07Content & Collaboration
Automatic migration of legacy restricted access items to limited access settings in Google Drive.
Google Drive is automatically migrating items with legacy restricted access to the limited access folder setting. This update ensures consistent management of restricted access and does not change who can see or access the files. Users can audit their own files with limited access using the search operator 'owner:me is:limitedaccess', and migrated items will indicate that limited access was applied by Google Drive.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-04-09 • Scheduled: 2026-04-16 -
2026-03-30Content & Collaboration
Ransomware detection and file restoration for Google Drive is now generally available with improved malware detection.
Google Workspace has made ransomware detection and file restoration capabilities generally available for eligible Google Drive customers. This security feature helps protect user files by detecting suspicious files potentially impacted by ransomware and enables users to quickly restore previous safe versions. The updated AI model detects 14 times more infections than the beta version, offering more comprehensive protection. Admins can track ransomware alerts in the Admin console, view impacted users and files, and receive email notifications, while users receive desktop notifications and can easily bulk restore files.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-03-30 • Scheduled: 2026-03-30