May 28, 2026

How to Copy a Folder in Google Drive (2026)

Google Drive Folders Copy How-to Productivity

Google Drive doesn’t have a “copy folder” button — clicking Make a copy on a folder just gives you an error. There are three workarounds and one strategy (shortcuts) that often avoids the copy entirely. Pick by how big the folder is and whether you need the sub-folder structure too.

Method 1: Copy the Files Inside (Flat Folder)

The simplest method when the folder has files but no sub-folders.

Open the folder by double-clicking it.
Press Ctrl+A (Windows/Chromebook) or Cmd+A (Mac) to select every file inside.
Right-click the selection > Make a copy.
Drive creates “Copy of <filename>” versions of each file, in the same folder as the originals.
Create a new destination folder (top-level: + New > Folder).
Select the “Copy of …” files and drag them into the new folder — or right-click > Move to > pick the new folder.
Rename the files to strip the “Copy of ” prefix if you want.

This method only copies files, not nested folders. If the original folder has sub-folders, they don’t come along.

Method 2: Multi-Level Folder via Drive for Desktop

For folders with sub-folders, the cleanest path uses Drive for desktop:

Install Drive for desktop from google.com/drive/download if you don’t have it.
Sign in. Your Drive shows up in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) under Google Drive > My Drive.
Navigate to the folder you want to copy.
Right-click > Copy, then paste (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V) into the destination location.
Drive uploads the copies (including all sub-folders and files) to Drive in the background.

The full folder tree comes across. Bigger trees take time — watch the Drive for desktop status icon to know when it’s done.

Method 3: Apps Script (Free, for Power Users)

If you can’t install Drive for desktop and need to preserve folder structure:

Go to script.google.com > New project.
Paste this minimal recursive copy script:

function copyFolder(sourceId, destinationParentId) {
  var source = DriveApp.getFolderById(sourceId);
  var destinationParent = DriveApp.getFolderById(destinationParentId);
  var newFolder = destinationParent.createFolder(source.getName() + ' (copy)');
  copyInto(source, newFolder);
}

function copyInto(source, destination) {
  var files = source.getFiles();
  while (files.hasNext()) {
    var file = files.next();
    file.makeCopy(file.getName(), destination);
  }
  var folders = source.getFolders();
  while (folders.hasNext()) {
    var folder = folders.next();
    var subDest = destination.createFolder(folder.getName());
    copyInto(folder, subDest);
  }
}

function run() {
  copyFolder('SOURCE_FOLDER_ID', 'DESTINATION_PARENT_FOLDER_ID');
}

Get folder IDs from the URL — for a folder at drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ABCxyz…, the ID is 1ABCxyz….
Replace SOURCE_FOLDER_ID and DESTINATION_PARENT_FOLDER_ID.
Click Run > run. Grant the permissions prompt.

The script copies every file and sub-folder, preserving the tree. For very large folders, run in chunks — Apps Script has a 6-minute execution limit per run.

Method 4: Use a Shortcut Instead of a Copy

If your goal is “this folder appears in another location” rather than “a separate, independent copy”, a Drive shortcut is better — instant, no storage cost, edits to either appear in both.

Select the folder.
Right-click > Organize > Add shortcut.
Pick the destination folder.

The folder now appears in two places. Anyone with access to either sees the latest contents. Use a real copy only when you need divergent edits.

Method 5: Marketplace Add-ons

Several Workspace Marketplace add-ons (search Copy Folder at workspace.google.com/marketplace) wrap the Apps Script approach in a UI. Free tiers usually cover folders up to a few hundred files. Read permission scopes before installing — anything that copies all your files needs broad Drive access.

Troubleshooting

”Make a copy” disabled on the folder itself

Expected — Drive doesn’t allow copying a folder directly. Open the folder first, then select its contents.

Sub-folders weren’t included

Method 1 only copies the files at the top level of the open folder. Use Method 2 (Drive for desktop) or Method 3 (Apps Script) for nested structure.

”Copy of” prefix everywhere

Drive adds the prefix to every copied file. Multi-select all copies and use the rename-all add-on, or rename one-by-one. Or run the Apps Script (Method 3) which copies without the prefix.

Apps Script “Exceeded maximum execution time”

The folder is too big for a single run. Split the work — copy sub-folders one at a time, or trigger the script on a timer that resumes where it left off (use PropertiesService to track the last processed file).

Shared files copied don’t include comments / version history

Comments and revision history don’t travel with Make a copy. The new file is a fresh document with only the latest content.

Quick Reference

Folder shape	Best method
Flat (files only)	Open folder > Ctrl+A > Right-click > Make a copy
Nested sub-folders	Drive for desktop > Copy/paste in File Explorer
Big & needs preserved IDs	Apps Script recursive copy
Don’t need a real copy	Add shortcut instead
One-off, want a UI	Marketplace add-on

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