Surprise what happens in the new update of Google Drive which is beginning to be deployed. Contrary to what usually happens, this time some options are being removed instead of added. We are referring, specifically, to the option of directly edit documents (text and spreadsheets).
The new version of the development, which is 1.3, has the great novelty that in order to be able to make edits that were previously executed directly in the application itself, now you need to have additional ones installed, specifically one of those that we already announced the arrival in [sitename]: Docs and Sheets, which are specifically designed to edit text documents and spreadsheets, respectively. If you do not have these, you will simply have a display mode.
The truth is that this makes all the sense in the world, since many of us thought that with the arrival of the new editing applications, the Mountain View company was duplicating an existing functionality in excess both in Quik Office As in Google Drive. Well, in the second case, what was happening has ended. We believe it is a wise move to avoid confusion and, in addition, future service updates can be carried out in a more efficient.
Hassle-free use
Regarding the use by users, once both Docs and Sheets are installed and the new version 1.3 of Google Drive as well, there is not much difference from what was produced until now, since automatically when clicking on a Text file (or spreadsheet) the corresponding application is automatically executed. That is, it is safe for users.
As is usual with updates, this one is being rolled out gradually. In the case of Google Drive, the notification is automatically generated if you have it installed on your device (if not, you can get it for free at Play Store). In any case, and as usual at [sitename], we leave you this link where you can download the corresponding APK It is perfectly signed by the developer and, therefore, does not offer any problem when used.
You can find out more information about this and other applications for Android devices, you can get it at the specific section that we have in [sitename].
Manage versions without changing the link
If you need to replace a file with a newer version and keep the same link shared, use the function Manage versions from the original file in Drive. This is the most reliable way to avoid broken links and unnecessary alerts.
- Select the original file in Drive and right-click on it. Manage versions.
- Choose Upload a new version and upload the updated file (supports different formats, for example from .doc to .pdf).
- Drive will maintain the same URL public or internal and will archive previous versions in case you need to recover them.
Dragging and dropping a file with the same name to a folder can create a duplicate (1) instead of overwriting. If the overwrite dialog doesn't appear, this is expected behavior in some cases: always use Manage versions for a consistent result.
What's new in Drive for desktop: differential uploads and more
Drive for computers incorporates differential loads- When you make minor changes to a local file, the client synchronizes only the changes instead of uploading the entire file. This speeds up syncing and reduces bandwidth usage, especially for large files. While Google doesn't list all supported formats, it works with the following: common documents (Docs, Office and others supported).
The function is deployed in Windows and Mac and is available for personal and business accounts. Google workspace. No premium plans required. If you don't see the improvement yet, wait for the rollout or verify you're using a recent version of the client.
Smoother video and interface improvements
Drive premieres instant video playback: You can start viewing them almost immediately after uploading them and move around the timeline with less buffering. In addition, the player has received a cleaner interface with intuitive controls and shortcuts that streamline the experience. On mobile, integrated scanning automatic improvements that apply filters and optimizations without manual steps.
Recommendations for administrators
- Keep Drive for computers in a version published in the last 12 months to avoid incompatibilities.
- Leave the activated Automatic Updates (they come by default). If you disable them, check the versions and update as soon as possible.
- Google can disable obsolete versions at any time; plan change management.
- Use the Administration console to check which version each team has and compare it with the release notes officers.
If the browser update prompt appears
If you see the message “Update your browser to use Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Sites, Slides, and Forms,” make sure you are using a recent version of Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Update from your browser's Help menu, restart it and check that there is no Extensions blocking scripts, which cookies third-party applications are not completely disabled and that the system date/time is correct. On Windows, also check the certificate stack and TLS activated.
Problems overwriting when dragging files?
If Drive stops asking and creates copies with (1) When uploading a file with the same name, it may be due to changes in the behavior of the drag and drop depending on the folder, permissions, or file type. To ensure a proper update and maintain history, open the original file and use Manage Versions > Upload a New VersionThis way, you'll maintain the link, keep track of versions, and avoid version numbering limits. If you need to automate this, consider Drive for computers with local folder synchronization.
The transition from direct editing in Drive to dedicated apps and these sync and playback improvements reinforce a clearer ecosystem: Drive for management and access, and Docs/Sheets/Slides for specialized editionWith good versioning practices and updated equipment, your daily experience will be faster, more stable, and more predictable.