Google Workspace Updates Blog:
Last year, we stopped allowing restricted access on specific files and folders within a shared folder in Google Drive, and instead required that restricted access be managed consistently via the limited access folder setting. With this update, all items with legacy restricted access will be automatically migrated to use the limited access setting instead. There will be no change to who can see or access the files.
After the migration to the limited access setting, any user can audit the files they own with limited access by using the Drive search operators
owner:me is:limited_access.
Items that were automatically migrated will show limited access was applied by Google Drive.
Items with limited access applied will show the updated sharing experience.
Getting started
- Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.
- End users:
Rollout pace
- Personal Google accounts: Available now
- Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 13, 2026
- Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 20, 2026
Availability
- Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts
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