Google Workspace’s File Lock Feature Prevents Co-Workers from Altering Your Documents
A new feature is being introduced for Google Workspace users, allowing them to safeguard their documents from unwanted alterations by colleagues. By enabling the ability to lock Google Drive files, users can now prevent unnecessary comments and modifications when collaborating with multiple team members. Although not groundbreaking, this feature could prove useful, particularly for companies that frequently utilize and share publicly accessible documents.
Locking a document puts it in read-only mode, preventing viewers from editing, commenting, or leaving suggestions on it. The document remains in this read-only mode until the owner unlocks it. In a blog post, Google announced that this new feature “streamlines the process of restricting files in Drive.”
Previously, you could lock a document or file while sharing it or using a Google Drive API call. The new locking feature simplifies things: Right-click on the file you want to lock, scroll to the file’s details from the pop-up menu, and select lock.
The file locking feature has already been implemented on some Rapid Release domains and will continue for the next 15 days. People on timed release domains can expect to see the feature on September 20th, after a similar 15-day release period.
