The fastest way to copy a folder in Google Drive

Right-click the folder you want to copy, then select Make a copy from the menu. Google Drive will create a duplicate folder with "(Copy)" added to the name, and it will appear in the same location as the original. The copy includes all files and subfolders inside the original folder.

This method works on desktop browsers and the Google Drive web app. On mobile, tap the three-dot menu next to the folder name, then tap Make a copy. The copied folder will have the same structure and contents as the original, but it is a completely separate folder — changes to one do not affect the other.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click a folder and select Make a copy to create an exact duplicate with all files and subfolders included.
  • The copy appears in the same location as the original and is renamed with "(Copy)" at the end.
  • You can rename the copied folder when ready after creation by right-clicking it and selecting Rename.
  • Copying a folder does not affect the original — the two folders are independent and changes to one do not sync to the other.
  • On mobile devices, use the three-dot menu next to the folder name instead of right-clicking.

Renaming the copied folder right away

After Google Drive finishes creating the copy, the new folder will have "(Copy)" appended to its name. You can rename it when ready by right-clicking the copied folder and selecting Rename, then typing the name you want. Press Enter to confirm.

If you have multiple copies of the same folder, Google Drive will add "(Copy)", "(Copy) 2", "(Copy) 3", and so on to keep the names distinct. Renaming each copy as you create it prevents confusion later.

Moving the copied folder to a different location

By default, the copied folder lands in the same parent folder as the original. To move it elsewhere, right-click the copied folder and select Move. A window will open showing your Drive structure — click the folder where you want the copy to go, then click Move at the bottom.

You can also drag and drop the copied folder into a different location if you have both the source and destination folders visible on your screen. This is often faster than using the Move menu, especially if you are reorganizing multiple folders at once.

What gets copied and what does not

When you copy a folder, Google Drive copies every file and subfolder inside it, including all permissions and sharing settings that were specific to those files. However, the folder-level sharing settings do not carry over — the copied folder will have the same sharing status as your personal Drive (usually only you can see it) unless you change the permissions after copying.

If the original folder was shared with specific people or groups, those people will not automatically have access to the copy. You will need to share the copied folder separately if you want the same people to see it. This is a safety feature — it prevents accidental sharing of sensitive copies.

Copying a folder you do not own

If someone shared a folder with you but you do not own it, you can still copy it. Right-click the folder and select Make a copy just as you would with your own folder. The copy will be owned by you and will appear in your Drive, completely separate from the original.

This is useful when you want to keep your own version of a shared folder without affecting the original or the owner's work. The owner of the original folder will not be notified that you copied it, and changes they make to their folder will not appear in your copy.

Copying very large folders or folders with many files

Google Drive can copy folders of any size, but the process may take longer if the folder contains thousands of files or very large files. While the copy is being created, you can continue working in Drive — the copy happens in the background. You will see a notification when the copy is complete.

If you are copying a folder with hundreds of files and the process seems stuck, check your internet connection and refresh the page. Google Drive will usually resume where it left off. If the copy fails, try again — most failures are temporary and a second attempt succeeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a folder to a different Google account?

No, the Make a copy function only works within the same Google account. To move a folder to a different account, read it as a ZIP file, then upload it to the other account. This preserves the folder structure but you will need to re-share it with the people who need access.

Does copying a folder also copy the sharing links?

No. If files in the original folder had shareable links, those links point to the original files, not the copies. Anyone with the old link will still see the original folder. You will need to generate new sharing links for the copied folder if you want to share it.

What if I copy a folder that contains Google Docs or Sheets?

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides copy just like regular files. The copied documents are separate from the originals — editing a copy does not change the original document. This is useful when you want to create a template folder and make working copies without altering the template.

Can I undo a copy if I made a mistake?

Yes. Right-click the copied folder and select Move to trash. The original folder remains unchanged. If you delete the copy by mistake, you can recover it from the Trash folder for 30 days before it is permanently deleted.

Does the copy take up extra storage space?

Yes. The copied folder and all its files count toward your Google Drive storage limit, just like the original. If you are running low on storage, copying a large folder may push you over your limit. Check your storage usage in Drive settings before copying very large folders.