A method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing file updates using content signatures that use file identicality properties are provided. A method and computer program product are provided for the notification of receipt of a new version of the old file using content signatures that take advantage of file identicality properties. Content signature application modules and registries exist within information source clients and centralized servers to support the notification methods. An apparatus is provided that associates a file it has received, that is a new version of an old file, with previously stored content signatures in an indexed archive system. The information source clients that have the previously stored content signatures are then identified. These information source clients are then notified that the new version of the file exists.