---
id: moving-folders.can-storage-studio-move-the-same-folder-twice
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/can-storage-studio-move-the-same-folder-twice
category: "Moving folders"
subcategory: "Safety and verification"
question: "Can Storage Studio accidentally move the same folder twice?"
alt_questions:
  - "Move a folder that's already been moved"
  - "Never move a folder that's already been moved"
  - "Why won't Storage Studio move this folder again?"
  - "Moving links instead of files"
short_answer: "No. A moved folder is a set of links to its copy on your drive, so Storage Studio recognises it everywhere and never moves it a second time. Turning that protection off in Settings → Rules asks first, and then copies the real files, never the links."
tags: ["moved folders", "safety", "links"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-if-a-moved-folders-files-go-missing-from-my-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-is-a-broken-relocation"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-29
---

# Can Storage Studio accidentally move the same folder twice?

No. A folder Storage Studio has moved is a set of links to its copy on your drive, and moving links isn't moving your files — so a folder that has already been moved is recognised everywhere (Data Parking, Emergency Space and the automatic rules) and never moved a second time. A move is reported as finished only once its links really lead to your files.

The protection is a setting, **Settings → Rules → Never move a folder that's already been moved**, and it asks before you turn it off. With it off, moving an already-moved folder shows where its files are now and how much will be copied, and only **Copy the real files** goes ahead — it copies the real files (never the links), checks every one, and points your Mac at the new copy. Automatic moves never move these folders.

See [missing files of a moved folder](https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-if-a-moved-folders-files-go-missing-from-my-drive).