Lock Files More Easily In Google Drive

Google is going to add an option allowing people to lock their files more easily in Google Drive. In order to lock files, users need to right-click the file and choose "File information." Then, they need to tap on "Lock". When a file is locked, it ensures that reviewers are unable to change a file. Besides, adding comments, edits and suggestions to the locked documents will not be possible. The procedure of restricting files in the drive, which is simplified & streamlined by this update, was earlier available via the Google Drive API or via file approvals.

How Will Lock Files More Easily In Google Drive Help Users?

Users will get benefits from the feature when many documents (that are viewable to the public) are used & shared. As soon as you see a file locked, it will go into read-only mode. Therefore, people with access to the file will be able to view this only. Earlier, users were able to lock a file or document via a Google Drive API call. Now, the locking process is simplified by the new feature.

End Users:

• If you want to lock your Drive file, you need to have edit-access to the drive file.
• When you hover over a file in Drive, you need to right-click into the context menu. Then, your task is to select "File information." After that, you should choose the "Lock" option. Now, select "Lock" to ensure that you are willing to lock the document.
• As soon as a file is locked, no one will be able to make edits to the Doc until it is unlocked. Unlocking a file is possible through the context menu.

Rollout Pace:

• Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout for up to fifteen days to view the feature started on September 5, 2023.

• Scheduled Release domains: In this case, the Gradual rollout starts on September 20, 2023.

Google Drive Lock File Availability:

All Google Workspace customers can get this feature.

Duet AI in Workspace apps:

Recently, Google announced that it is adding some AI-powered enhancements to the Workspace apps. Google Duet AI assists users in generating results based on text prompts in Gmail & Google Docs.

The drag & drop feature was added last month by Google to Google Drive multi-instance support on Android devices that have large screens. These let you share files & folders between two different accounts quickly. Google also added an extra feature that allows the users to empty a shared drive's whole trash folder for making the management of shared drive files easier. Thus, users do not need to remove items in the trash folder manually.

The option to lock files more easily in Google Drive will prevent accidental edits to ensure the authenticity of files. The tweak doesn't have any admin control. This latest upgrade to Google Drive will be useful for its customers all over the world. Moreover, Google has introduced a new 'Spam' folder to the sidebar, working the same as the spam folder.

Conclusion:

Now, all Google Workspace users can lock files in their Google Drive. In this way, this new feature prevents company employees from editing as well as making any comments on documents. In addition, they can't add unwanted suggestions to locked documents.