The document __________ is on a volume that does not support permanent version storage. You will not be able to access older versions of this document once you close it.

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Level 1

87 points

The document __________ is on a volume that does not support permanent version storage. You will not be able to access older versions of this document once you close it.

I recently started getting this strange message–usually when closing a Pages document:

"The document __________ is on a volume that does not support permanent version storage. You will not be able to access older versions of this document once you close it."

All my searches (apple.com and on the internet) have not turned up any information about this message.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Jul 29, 2016 12:06 PM

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Answer 1

Barry

Level 9

60,114 points

Jul 29, 2016 3:29 PM in response to Larry Israel

Hi Larry,

I would think so. Essentially it's just making you aware of the fact that you can't get back to an earlier version once you've saved this one.

I'm not sure why the warning has shown up only recently, though. Have you done any recent updates/upgrades to the OS (your profile information says you are still using Mountain Lion) or to Pages (the current version is 5.6.2)? Have you changed the place where you are saving the documents?

Regards,

Barry

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Answer 2

Aug 1, 2016 11:45 AM in response to Larry Israel

Versions has been built into osX since 10.7 Lion (2011), the versions are all kept within the one document and you only ever see the latest version. If you want to go back to a previous version, in Pages for example, you would go File > Revert to > Browse all Versions, this will open a time machine like interface for this single document and you can roll back through the previous versions.

OS X Lion: About Auto Save and Versions - Apple Support

It is odd that you are seeing the error as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) does support Versions.

Googling the error message just finds instances where people are trying to save to network volumes or non-HFS+ formatted volumes.

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Answer 3

Barry

Level 9

60,114 points

Jul 29, 2016 12:30 PM in response to Larry Israel

Hi Larry,

The "volume" is a hard drive, a partition on a hard drive, or a storage device such as a USB memory stick.

OS X automatically saves your document at frequent intervals while you are working on it. If the device/volume it is saving to has been formatted to permit 'versioning,' you will be able to use Time Machine to open earlier versions of your document. If it has not been formatted that way, you will get the message you see, and only the current version of the document will be saved.

Regards,

Barry

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Answer 4

Jul 29, 2016 9:27 PM in response to Larry Israel

You almost certainly have the drive, on which you are saving the file, formatted to FAT32 which is for older PCs.

Are you saving to a USB Flash Drive or external hard drive or Windows server?

OSX needs an HFS+ formatted drive to create its versioned files which are packages of files displayed as one.

Peter

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Answer 5

Larry Israel Author

Level 1

87 points

Jul 30, 2016 12:47 PM in response to Barry

Thanks again, Barry!

I'm running OS 10.8.5 and Pages 4.3. I've not bought any software since this began, or changed anything other than to allow any recommended updates to the existing software. I've not changed the format on my drive, or added partitions. I don't use the Clod.

I've been a Mac user since 1989. I've always expected that when I change a doc and save it, the old is gone. If I need to keep previous versions, I do that manually. If it was that important to keep older versions, I wouldn't leave that up to any kind of automated process.

It's really odd the way this has suddenly appeared. You've given me enough information to feel confident in ignoring this message. Thank you again!

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Answer 6

Larry Israel Author

Level 1

87 points

Jul 30, 2016 12:52 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Hi Peter,

I'm using Mac OS Extended (Journaled) in all of these instances where the error message appears.

I do occasionally use a thumb drive or an external drive, but those are also Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

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Answer 7

Larry Israel Author

Level 1

87 points

Aug 1, 2016 11:45 AM in response to think.different

Odd yes, but this has not been a very good computer. I tried my best to get it fixed before AppleCare ran out, but nothing was done that resolved the issues. Now I'm stuck until I get a new one. So, it doesn't surprise me that something that should have been there all along just now decided to start working.

Thank you for your help!

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