---
id: moving-folders.what-does-move-when-closed-mean
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-move-when-closed-mean
category: "Moving folders"
subcategory: "Folders an app is using"
question: "What does \"Move when closed\" mean?"
alt_questions:
  - "An app is using this folder and it won't move"
  - "Safari is still using this folder"
  - "How do I move a folder that's open?"
  - "Move when closed button storage studio"
  - "3 apps are still using this folder"
short_answer: "It means an app has files in that folder open, so the move waits. The sheet names the app; you can ask it to quit (it saves first), check again, then continue. Your files don't move until you choose, and closed apps can be reopened afterwards."
tags: ["move when closed", "apps in use", "busy folder"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/should-i-force-quit-an-app-to-move-its-folder", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/why-cant-storage-studio-quit-an-app"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does "Move when closed" mean?

It means an app is holding files in that folder open, so Storage Studio won't move it yet — moving a folder while an app writes to it isn't safe. Instead of failing with a puzzling error, it offers **Move when closed** and shows exactly what's in the way.

The sheet is headed by the situation ("Safari is still using this folder", or **Ready to move** when nothing is). From there:

- **Ask it to quit** / **Ask all to quit** — the same polite request as choosing Quit from the app's menu, so it can save first.
- **Check again** — re-checks after you've dealt with an app yourself.
- **Continue** — appears once nothing is holding the folder.

Your files stay exactly where they are until you choose. Afterwards Storage Studio offers to **reopen** the apps it closed.

See [What about force quit?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/should-i-force-quit-an-app-to-move-its-folder)