All Google Drive updates
226 updates to Google Drive tracked so far. Most recent: 2026-11-09 — Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides now display Accept and Edit buttons in the top banner to quickly confirm single system-applied classification labels.
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2026-11-09Content & Collaboration
Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides now display Accept and Edit buttons in the top banner to quickly confirm single system-applied classification labels.
Google is making it faster to confirm automatically applied classification labels in Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Previously, files labeled by AI classification or default classification rules only showed a Review button; now, when a single label is automatically applied, users with permission to modify it see Accept and Edit buttons directly in the banner. Accept confirms the label in one click, while Edit opens the Labels side panel. A new Accept label button is also available in the side panel. If multiple labels are automatically applied, the banner continues to show Review. The feature is ON by default for eligible editions and begins gradual rollout on November 9, 2026, for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-11-09 • Scheduled: 2026-11-09 -
2026-11-05Content & Collaboration
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Administrators can automatically apply client-side encryption (CSE) to confidential Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive files using Policy-Based Enforcement, now available in beta.
Google Workspace administrators can automatically enforce client-side encryption (CSE) on sensitive files across their organization using Policy-Based Enforcement, now available in beta. Integrated with the Google Workspace Rules Engine, the feature applies encryption in place while preserving original file URLs across My Drive and shared drives, supporting Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Microsoft Office files, PDFs, and images. End users receive in-product contextual notifications when opening encrypted files, and administrators can monitor encryption activity in the security investigation tool with alert center notifications for external Key Access Control List Service (KACLS) issues. The feature requires Assured Controls or Assured Controls Plus licenses and beta enrollment, and is off by default.
Release: Both • Rapid: 2026-11-05 • Scheduled: 2026-11-05 -
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