What is the safest way to handle two copies of a file containing different valid changes without losing data?

Correct answer: Preserve both versions compare the changes and carefully merge the required content

The governing concept is conflict-safe version management. When two valid copies contain different changes, deleting either one first can destroy useful work. Preserve both originals, create a backup, compare the differences, and merge the required content into a clearly named new version. Option C follows this process. Changing extensions does not merge data, while deleting or recycling both copies risks permanent loss and prevents comparison.