Saving typically overwrites your previous file version because the system assumes you want the latest changes to become the new permanent state. When you use the basic "Save" command in most applications, it replaces the existing file content on your storage device (like a hard drive or cloud storage) with the content currently displayed in your application window. This is different from explicitly "Saving As" a new copy (which creates a separate file) or using dedicated version control systems that track changes without deletion.

For instance, using "Save" in a Word document will continuously replace the last saved state with your current edits. Similarly, saving code in a basic text editor or IDE often results in the previous version being lost unless manually renamed. This overwrite behavior is standard in nearly all software, from office suites and image editors to database management tools, whenever the core "Save" function is utilized.

The main advantage is simplicity and efficiency – one click ensures your work is current. However, a key limitation is accidental loss of previous content if changes are saved unintentionally. To mitigate this, use "Save As" for important milestones or leverage automatic versioning features built into modern operating systems or document platforms like Google Docs, which store revision histories, eliminating the overwrite risk.