We have all encountered circumstances where, despite our best efforts, we were unable to prevent unauthorized changes to crucial documents or Excel sheets that we had shared with our partners or coworkers. As a result, Google Drive has now included a new tool that enables you to Lock any file in order to prevent unauthorized changes to your documents.


Users can now lock files directly on Google Drive using Google Workspace. This will stop people from making changes to and comments on their documents. Additionally, we won't permit any unwelcome proposals to lock papers.



The process of restricting files in Drive, which was previously only accessible through the Google Drive API or through file approvals, has been streamlined and made simpler, according to Google.


How the Function Will Benefit Users

When a lot of publicly accessible papers are utilized and shared, this capability will be useful. When a file is locked, it is placed in read-only mode, allowing the two people who have access to it to only view it.


Before, users had the option to lock a file or document while sharing them or by using the Google Drive API. The locking process will be made simpler by the new update.


How to Protect Google Drive Files

  • Navigate to Google Drive and click and hold the file you want to lock.
  • Select "File Information" from the context menu by performing a right-click.
  • When prompted, choose "Lock" and state your desire to lock the document.
  • Until the Doc is unlocked, no one can make changes to it.
  • A file can also be unlocked using the context menu.

Google has previously provided users with the option to limit access to a file. Previously, you could accomplish the same task by using the Google Drive API and specific file approvals. The only modification is the ability to lock a file at any moment, even after sharing it with a colleague.


Availability of Features


Over the next 15 days, the file-locking capability will gradually be rolled out to more Rapid domains. On September 20, users on scheduled release domains can anticipate the feature to become live, with a similar 15-day deployment period.