Finding things in Finder · The shortcut left behind
Why do only some files in a moved folder have shortcut arrows?
Short answer: Usually either files were added after the move (turn on auto-sync so they follow), or a move finished most of the way — its row then offers Put the link back to finish the rest. Rules also leave recently opened files in place.
There are two common reasons:
- Files added after the move. Anything saved into the folder since then is a normal file on your Mac until it's moved too — turn on auto-sync for the folder in the Relocated panel to have new files follow automatically.
- A move that finished most of the way. If a move left some files behind, its row offers Put the link back — one click to finish the rest. Nothing was lost in the meantime. If a repair isn't possible because macOS won't allow a link in that spot, Storage Studio tells you rather than retrying pointlessly.
Rules also skip files you've opened recently, so a rule-based move can deliberately leave those in place.