---
id: moving-folders.what-is-the-difference-between-move-merge-and-relocate
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-is-the-difference-between-move-merge-and-relocate
category: "Moving folders"
subcategory: "Data Parking (the two-pane mover)"
question: "What's the difference between Move, Merge and Relocate in Data Parking?"
alt_questions:
  - "Move vs Merge vs Relocate"
  - "Which Data Parking button should I use?"
  - "What do the three arrows in Data Parking do?"
  - "data parking move merge relocate difference"
  - "Which option leaves a shortcut behind?"
  - "Which move option deletes files at the destination?"
short_answer: "Move makes the destination match the source; Merge adds without deleting or overwriting anything at the destination; Relocate moves the file contents but leaves links so everything keeps working. Move and Merge remove the originals after checking the copy."
tags: ["data parking", "move", "merge", "relocate"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-relocate-do-in-data-parking", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-merge-do-in-data-parking", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-move-do-in-data-parking"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-27
---

# What's the difference between Move, Merge and Relocate in Data Parking?

**Move** makes the destination match the source exactly, **Merge** adds to the destination without deleting or overwriting anything already there, and **Relocate** moves the file contents but keeps the folder layout on your Mac with links in place of the files.

- **Move** — replaces whatever's at the destination with the source. The original is removed after the copy is checked. Marked ✕. If something is already there, you can choose Keep both or Merge instead.
- **Merge** — adds what's missing and keeps anything already at the destination. A same-named file with different contents is renamed with the date and kept, never overwritten. The original is removed after the copy is checked. Marked ✕. Never deletes your data, so it doesn't ask for confirmation.
- **Relocate** (Mac → destination only) — the "free up space without breaking anything" option. Each file is replaced by a link to its new home. Marked ✓, because the original place keeps working.

If you want to free space but keep paths working, choose Relocate. See [What does Relocate do?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/what-does-relocate-do-in-data-parking)