How to Copy a Google Drive Folder: 3 Easy Methods

Efficient management of digital files is crucial. Google Drive, a widely used cloud storage service, makes it easy to store, share, and collaborate on files. However, organizing folders can sometimes be challenging, especially when you need to duplicate them for backups or sharing purposes.

This guide simplifies the process by providing clear methods for copying folders in Google Drive on desktop. You will discover how to seamlessly replicate your data for backup or effective sharing. Mastering this process is essential in our connected digital world. By the end of this guide, you will be familiar with multiple copying techniques, understand their differences, and know how to choose the method that best fits your needs. First, let’s explore how folders function in Google Drive.

How Folders Work in Google Drive?

Folders in Google Drive function as effective tools to organize and manage your files. Here is an overview of how they work and why each feature is important for efficient digital file management.

↪ Creating a Folder:

• To create a new folder, go to Google Drive at drive.google.com.
• Click the “New” button on the left side of the interface.

• Select “New Folder” to create a dedicated space for your files and projects. This step helps segment your digital workspace for easy access and organization.

• Enter a folder name and click “Create”. Using clear names will help identify and locate folders efficiently.

↪ Moving Files into Folders:

• Right-click the file, choose “Organize”, click “Move”, and select the destination folder. This is especially useful for bulk-file management or when reorganizing large file sets.

↪ Creating Shortcuts:

• • Shortcuts let you access a file or folder from multiple Google Drive locations without creating duplicate copies. This feature minimizes storage use and simplifies navigation.

• • To create a shortcut, right-click the file or folder, select “Organize”, then choose “Add Shortcut”. Select the target location for the shortcut. This saves time finding files used across different projects.

↪ Organizing with Color-Coding and Stars:

• • Color-code folders by right-clicking on them and selecting “Organize”. The default color palette will appear, allowing you to assign colors for visual sorting. Distinct colors help identify workspaces or project phases quickly.

• • Add stars to important folders and files by right-clicking and choosing “Organize”, then selecting “Add to starred”. This feature provides quick access to frequently-used or time-sensitive documents.

↪ Deleting and Restoring Files:

• • To delete a file or folder, right-click it and select “Move to trash”. Should you need to recover the file, go to “Trash”, right-click the item, and select “Restore”. This safety net prevents accidental data loss.

↪ Using Naming Conventions:

• • Apply a consistent naming convention for your files and folders. This practice makes it easy to identify content at a glance and supports more efficient searching and archiving.

How to Copy a Google Drive Folder?

While Google Drive does not offer a built-in option to copy entire folders from the web interface, several effective workarounds are available. Understanding these options ensures your content can be efficiently duplicated for backup, organizational, or collaborative needs.

Method 1: Using Google Drive Web Interface

1. Open Google Drive: Access Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your Google account.
2. Select Files: Open the folder you wish to copy and select all the files inside.
   

   

3. Make a Copy: Right-click the selected files and choose “Make a copy”. This duplicates all selected items, enabling safer editing or sharing.
   

   

4. Create New Folder: Navigate to “My Drive”, click the “New” button, and select “New Folder” to set up a dedicated location for the copies.
   

   

5. Move Copied Files: Select the copied files (they will have the prefix “Copy of-“), right-click, choose “Organize”, then select “Move”.
   

   

6. Select Folder: In the pop-up window, navigate to the new folder and click “Move Here”.
   

   

Why this method helps: This approach is straightforward for smaller folders and ensures each file is duplicated within Google Drive. However, with large folders, this process becomes time-consuming. Additionally, every copied file will include a “Copy of-“ prefix, requiring manual renaming if you wish to retain original names.

Method 2: Copying Folder via Download and Upload

If you prefer not to manually rename files after copying, you can use this method to copy a Google Drive folder while keeping file names unchanged.

1. Select all the files in the folder you wish to copy. Right-click the selection and choose “Download.”
   

   

2. Google Drive will compress the selected files into a ZIP folder and download it to your computer. After downloading, click the dropdown arrow next to the file’s name and select “Show in folder”.
   

   

3. Move the ZIP file to a new empty folder. Right-click it, choose “Extract All,” select your preferred extraction location, and click “Extract.”
   

   

4. Return to Google Drive, find where you want to store the copied folder, click “New”, and select “New Folder”. Name the folder and click “Create.”
   

   

5. Open the new folder. Right-click inside, then select “File upload.”
6. Browse to the extracted files on your computer, select them, and click “Open.”
   

   

7. The files will upload to the new folder in Google Drive, preserving their original names.

Why this method is useful: This process is particularly valuable when dealing with large numbers of files or when you want to maintain original file names, reducing manual work after uploading.

Method 3: Using Google Drive for Desktop

1. Download and install Google Drive for Desktop on your Windows PC or Mac. Log into your Google Drive account, click the gear icon (top right), and select “Get Drive for desktop.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation.
   

   

2. During installation, check both boxes to link computer folders to Google Drive, then choose “Install.”
   

   

3. After setup, open Google Drive and access sync settings from the left menu. Choose “Stream files” to sync chosen files or “Mirror files” to sync your entire Drive. Click “Save” to apply preferences.
4. To copy a folder, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), navigate to your Google Drive, and locate the folder you want to copy.
   

   

5. Copy the folder or its contents by right-clicking and choosing “Copy.” Decide where within your Google Drive structure you want to paste them.
   

   

6. Navigate to the destination, right-click, and select “Paste.” You may rename the new folder if needed.
   

   

7. Allow time for Google Drive to sync the copied folder. When the process is complete, you will see the duplicated folder and its files in your Google Drive.
   

   

Why this method is effective: Using Google Drive for Desktop is the most seamless way to duplicate full folders, especially with subfolders. The entire folder structure is retained and changes are automatically synced to your Google Drive cloud storage.