---
id: data-transfers.copy-everything-to-a-new-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/copy-everything-to-a-new-external-drive
category: "Data Transfers"
subcategory: "Data Transfers basics"
question: "Should I use Data Transfers to copy everything to a new external drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "switch to a new external drive"
  - "migrate Storage Studio drive to bigger SSD"
  - "copy working folder to new drive"
  - "replace my external drive with a new one"
  - "upgrade external SSD storage studio"
short_answer: "Not for your Storage Studio drive. Use Transfer Drive (More → Drive), which copies, checks, and re-points every relocated app and folder to the new drive. A plain copy wouldn't update those shortcuts."
tags: ["new drive", "transfer drive", "external drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/transfer-between-folders-on-my-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/data-transfers-vs-data-parking"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Should I use Data Transfers to copy everything to a new external drive?

Not for your Storage Studio drive itself. Use **Transfer Drive** (in the popover's **More → Drive** section) instead: it copies everything to the new drive, checks the copy, and then re-points every app and folder you've relocated so they keep opening from the new drive. A plain copy with Data Transfers wouldn't update those shortcuts, and your relocated items would still point at the old drive.

**Backup Drive** in the same place makes a verified spare copy while keeping your current drive active.

Data Transfers is the right tool for ordinary folders that aren't relocated by Storage Studio.

Related: [External drives](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/)