---
id: duplicates.which-copy-does-storage-studio-recommend-keeping
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/duplicates/which-copy-does-storage-studio-recommend-keeping
category: "Duplicate files"
subcategory: "Choosing which copy to keep"
question: "Which copy does Storage Studio recommend keeping, and why?"
alt_questions:
  - "How does Storage Studio decide which duplicate to keep?"
  - "What does recommended mean in a duplicate set?"
  - "Which copy will you keep?"
  - "Why did it pick this copy to keep?"
  - "Keep the best copy duplicates"
  - "How do you choose the original file?"
short_answer: "On your Mac, Storage Studio recommends the copy you're most likely using: one in a working folder over Downloads or Desktop, otherwise the one opened or created most recently. A note explains the choice, and you can pick a different copy before removing anything."
tags: ["duplicates", "keep", "recommended"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/duplicates/how-do-i-keep-a-different-copy", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/duplicates/which-copy-is-kept-in-a-cloud-account", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/duplicates/how-do-i-check-a-duplicate-before-removing-it"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Which copy does Storage Studio recommend keeping, and why?

For files on your Mac, the recommended copy is the one you're most likely using:

1. A copy in a working folder (such as Documents) is preferred over one sitting in **Downloads** or on the **Desktop**.
2. Otherwise, the copy you opened or created most recently wins.
3. If that's still a tie, the copy with the shorter location is chosen.

The recommended copy is marked **recommended**, and a line above the set explains the choice — for example *"it's in your working folder (the others are in Downloads/Desktop)"* or *"it's the copy you used most recently"*. You can always pick a different copy before anything is removed.

Cloud accounts use a different rule — see [which cloud copy is kept](https://storagestudio.us/faq/duplicates/which-copy-is-kept-in-a-cloud-account).