{"id":"moving-folders.is-there-a-move-back-for-everything-before-i-stop-using-storage-studio","url":"/faq/moving-folders/is-there-a-move-back-for-everything-before-i-stop-using-storage-studio","category":{"id":"moving-folders","title":"Moving folders"},"subcategory":{"id":"moving-back","title":"Moving folders back"},"question":"Should I move my folders back before I stop using Storage Studio or sell my drive?","alt_questions":["Move everything back before uninstalling","What happens to moved folders if I uninstall?","Getting my files back onto my Mac for good","stop using storage studio keep files"],"short_answer":"If the drive is going away, yes — move back what you want on your Mac first. Moved files stay on the drive with links on your Mac and keep working while it's connected, but if the drive leaves for good, its files go with it.","answer_markdown":"If you plan to stop using the fast drive, yes — move the folders you want back to your Mac first, while Storage Studio and the drive are both available. Your files are never held hostage: they stay on the drive with links on your Mac, and keep working while the drive is connected even if you stop using Storage Studio.\n\nBut if the drive is going away for good, its files go with it. Use **Move back** in What's Using Space (or Data Parking's **Revert**) for each folder you want to keep on your Mac, making sure you have room.\n\nIf you're uninstalling, **More → Uninstall Storage Studio…** has a **Revert relocated folders** option that brings every relocated folder back to your built-in drive. See [getting started](/faq/getting-started/) and [How do I move a folder back?](/faq/moving-folders/can-i-undo-a-folder-move)","answer_html":"

If you plan to stop using the fast drive, yes — move the folders you want back to your Mac first, while Storage Studio and the drive are both available. Your files are never held hostage: they stay on the drive with links on your Mac, and keep working while the drive is connected even if you stop using Storage Studio.

\n

But if the drive is going away for good, its files go with it. Use Move back in What's Using Space (or Data Parking's Revert) for each folder you want to keep on your Mac, making sure you have room.

\n

If you're uninstalling, More → Uninstall Storage Studio… has a Revert relocated folders option that brings every relocated folder back to your built-in drive. See getting started and How do I move a folder back?

","answer_text":"If you plan to stop using the fast drive, yes — move the folders you want back to your Mac first, while Storage Studio and the drive are both available. Your files are never held hostage: they stay on the drive with links on your Mac, and keep working while the drive is connected even if you stop using Storage Studio.\n\nBut if the drive is going away for good, its files go with it. Use Move back in What's Using Space (or Data Parking's Revert) for each folder you want to keep on your Mac, making sure you have room.\n\nIf you're uninstalling, More → Uninstall Storage Studio… has a Revert relocated folders option that brings every relocated folder back to your built-in drive. See getting started and How do I move a folder back?","tags":["move back","uninstall","drive"],"related":[{"id":"moving-folders.can-i-undo-a-folder-move","question":"Can I undo a folder move?","url":"/faq/moving-folders/can-i-undo-a-folder-move"},{"id":"moving-folders.do-i-need-space-on-my-mac-to-move-a-folder-back","question":"Do I need free space on my Mac to move a folder back?","url":"/faq/moving-folders/do-i-need-space-on-my-mac-to-move-a-folder-back"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Should I move my folders back before I stop using Storage Studio or sell my drive? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"If the drive is going away, yes — move back what you want on your Mac first. Moved files stay on the drive with links on your Mac and keep working while it's connected, but if the drive leaves for good, its files go with it.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Moving folders","path":"/faq/moving-folders/"},{"name":"Should I move my folders back before I stop using Storage Studio or sell my drive?","path":"/faq/moving-folders/is-there-a-move-back-for-everything-before-i-stop-using-storage-studio"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/is-there-a-move-back-for-everything-before-i-stop-using-storage-studio","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Should I move my folders back before I stop using Storage Studio or sell my drive?","alternateName":["Move everything back before uninstalling","What happens to moved folders if I uninstall?","Getting my files back onto my Mac for good","stop using storage studio keep files"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you plan to stop using the fast drive, yes — move the folders you want back to your Mac first, while Storage Studio and the drive are both available. Your files are never held hostage: they stay on the drive with links on your Mac, and keep working while the drive is connected even if you stop using Storage Studio.\n\nBut if the drive is going away for good, its files go with it. Use Move back in What's Using Space (or Data Parking's Revert) for each folder you want to keep on your Mac, making sure you have room.\n\nIf you're uninstalling, More → Uninstall Storage Studio… has a Revert relocated folders option that brings every relocated folder back to your built-in drive. See getting started and How do I move a folder back?","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/is-there-a-move-back-for-everything-before-i-stop-using-storage-studio"}}]},"fragment":"
\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Moving folders · Moving folders back

\n

Should I move my folders back before I stop using Storage Studio or sell my drive?

\n

Short answer: If the drive is going away, yes — move back what you want on your Mac first. Moved files stay on the drive with links on your Mac and keep working while it's connected, but if the drive leaves for good, its files go with it.

\n

If you plan to stop using the fast drive, yes — move the folders you want back to your Mac first, while Storage Studio and the drive are both available. Your files are never held hostage: they stay on the drive with links on your Mac, and keep working while the drive is connected even if you stop using Storage Studio.

\n

But if the drive is going away for good, its files go with it. Use Move back in What's Using Space (or Data Parking's Revert) for each folder you want to keep on your Mac, making sure you have room.

\n

If you're uninstalling, More → Uninstall Storage Studio… has a Revert relocated folders option that brings every relocated folder back to your built-in drive. See getting started and How do I move a folder back?

\n\n

Last reviewed

\n\n

Related questions

\n

Also available as Markdown and JSON.

\n
"}