---
id: finder-location.some-files-in-a-moved-folder-have-arrows-and-some-dont
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/finder-location/some-files-in-a-moved-folder-have-arrows-and-some-dont
category: "Finding things in Finder"
subcategory: "The shortcut left behind"
question: "Why do only some files in a moved folder have shortcut arrows?"
alt_questions:
  - "Half my folder was moved"
  - "Mixed arrows in a relocated folder"
  - "Some files weren't moved to the external drive"
  - "Put the link back storage studio"
  - "move partly finished files still on Mac"
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."
tags: ["partial move", "shortcut", "auto-sync"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/finder-location/where-do-new-files-go-in-a-relocated-folder", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/finder-location/why-does-a-moved-folder-still-look-normal-in-finder", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/finder-location/what-does-a-broken-relocation-mean"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why do only some files in a moved folder have shortcut arrows?

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.