---
id: data-transfers.use-the-root-of-an-account
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/use-the-root-of-an-account
category: "Data Transfers"
subcategory: "Setting up a transfer"
question: "What does “Use … root” mean in the cloud picker?"
alt_questions:
  - "Use root option New Transfer"
  - "transfer a whole cloud account"
  - "pick the top level of my cloud account"
  - "use account root as destination"
  - "what is the root of a cloud account"
short_answer: "It uses the whole account or device — its top level — as the source or destination. As a destination, prefer a dedicated folder instead, especially for a one-way sync, which removes anything not in the source."
tags: ["cloud picker", "root", "new transfer"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/pick-a-folder-inside-a-cloud-account", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/copy-a-whole-cloud-account-to-a-drive"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does “Use … root” mean in the cloud picker?

The root is the very top level of an account or device — everything in it. Choosing **Use … root** from the cloud picker fills the field with the whole account without opening the folder browser.

As a **source**, that means the transfer covers the entire account. As a **destination**, files land at the top level, mixed in with whatever is already there — usually you'll want to **Browse** and pick or create a dedicated folder instead, especially for a one-way sync, which removes anything at the destination that isn't in the source.

Related: [Pick a folder inside a cloud account](https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/pick-a-folder-inside-a-cloud-account) · [Does Sync (one-way) delete files?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files)