---
id: moving-folders.can-i-move-my-desktop-or-documents-folder
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/can-i-move-my-desktop-or-documents-folder
category: "Moving folders"
subcategory: "Moving specific folders"
question: "Can I move my Desktop or Documents folder to an external drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "Move Documents to external SSD Mac"
  - "Desktop folder too big"
  - "relocate documents folder storage studio"
  - "Will my desktop icons still show after a move?"
  - "Move part of Documents to the drive"
short_answer: "Yes. Both appear in What's Using Space, and Data Parking lets you move just the big subfolders. Links keep files showing and opening in the same place while the drive is connected. Storage Studio needs Full Disk Access to reach these folders."
tags: ["documents", "desktop", "full disk access"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/can-i-move-my-downloads-folder-to-an-external-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-is-data-parking"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I move my Desktop or Documents folder to an external drive?

Yes, while keeping in mind that everything you move is only reachable when the drive is connected. Desktop and Documents both appear in **What's Using Space**; for finer control, use **Data Parking** to move just the big subfolders — old projects, exports, archives — and leave everyday files on your Mac.

Links stay at the original places, so files still show on your Desktop and in Documents and open normally while the drive is plugged in.

Storage Studio needs **Full Disk Access** to reach these folders, because macOS protects them. If you keep Desktop and Documents in iCloud Drive, see [iCloud](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/) first.

See [What is Data Parking?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-is-data-parking)