Data Transfers · Copy, Move and Sync
What's the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?
Short answer: Copy leaves the source untouched; Move copies, checks, then removes the source; Sync (one-way) mirrors the source and deletes extras at the destination; Bidirectional sync keeps both sides matched.
Copy puts the files at the destination and leaves the source untouched. Move copies, checks the result, and only then removes the source. Sync (one-way) makes the destination an exact mirror of the source — anything in the destination that isn't in the source is deleted. Bidirectional sync keeps two places matched, carrying changes in either direction.
A fifth choice, Download, fetches one file from a web link.
Rules of thumb:
- Want a second copy? Copy.
- Want the space back from the source? Move.
- Want the destination to always look like the source? Sync (one-way) — and dry-run it first.
- Edit in both places? Bidirectional sync.
Related: Does Sync (one-way) delete files? · What is Bidirectional sync?