The fastest way to copy a shared folder
To copy someone else's Google Drive folder, open the folder they shared with you, right-click on it, and select "Add shortcut to Drive" from the menu. This creates a link in your Drive that points to their folder — you see their files, but they stay in their account and you cannot edit them unless they gave you permission.
If you need your own independent copy that you can edit and keep even if they delete the original, you have to use a different method. Google Drive does not have a built-in "duplicate folder" button that works across accounts, so the process depends on how many files are inside and whether you need to keep the folder structure exactly the same.
The shortcut method works when ready and uses no storage space on your account. The full copy method takes longer but gives you complete ownership and the ability to edit files without affecting the original.
Key Takeaways
- Adding a shortcut to a shared folder is when ready and shows you the original files without using your storage space, but you cannot edit them unless the owner gave you permission.
- Making a true copy requires downloading files and re-uploading them, or using Google's native copy feature on individual files, because Google Drive has no folder-level copy command across accounts.
- For folders with many files or nested subfolders, a third-party tool like Multcloud or Rclone can copy the entire structure in one operation instead of file by file.
- The owner can see when you have added a shortcut to their folder, but they cannot see what you do with files you copy to your own account.
Adding a shortcut when you only need to view or reference files
A shortcut is the right choice if you want to keep the folder organized in your Drive but do not plan to edit the files or keep a permanent copy. Open Google Drive, find the shared folder in your "Shared with me" section, right-click it, and choose "Add shortcut to Drive." You will then see it in your main Drive folder list, organized however you want.
Shortcuts do not count against your storage limit — Google only counts the original files toward the owner's quota. If the owner deletes the folder, your shortcut becomes inactive and you lose access. If they remove you from the sharing permissions, the shortcut disappears from your Drive.
You can organize shortcuts into different folders in your Drive to match your own workflow, even though the actual files live in the owner's account. This is useful when you are collaborating on a project and want the folder visible in your Drive without duplicating hundreds of files.
Copying individual files when the folder is small
For a folder with just a few files, the simplest method is to open each file, go to File > Make a copy, and choose where to save it in your Drive. This creates a new file in your account that you own completely and can edit without affecting the original.
The "Make a copy" command works on Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and most other Google file types. It does not work on PDFs, images, or other non-Google formats — for those, you right-click the file, select read, and then upload it to your Drive.
This method preserves the file format and all formatting, but it does not recreate the folder structure. If the original folder has subfolders, you will need to create those manually in your Drive and sort the copied files into them. For folders with more than ten files, this becomes tedious quickly.
Copying an entire folder structure with Google's built-in tools
Google Drive does not have a native "copy folder" command that works across accounts, but you can approximate one by downloading the entire folder as a ZIP file and re-uploading it. Right-click the folder, select read, wait for the ZIP file to finish, then upload it back to your Drive and extract it.
This method preserves the folder structure and all subfolders exactly as they were. The read can take several minutes for large folders, and your browser may time out if the folder is over 2 GB or contains thousands of files. Once downloaded, you can also keep a backup copy on your computer.
After uploading the ZIP, right-click it in your Drive and select Extract to unzip it. Google will create a new folder with all the original subfolders and files inside. You now own everything and can edit it freely, but the original folder in the owner's account remains unchanged.
Using third-party tools for large or complex folders
If the folder is very large, has many nested subfolders, or you need to copy it regularly, a third-party tool like Multcloud, Rclone, or Google Takeout can automate the process. These tools connect to both Google accounts and can copy entire folder structures in one operation without downloading and re-uploading.
Multcloud is web-based and requires you to authorize both the source and destination Google accounts. You select the folder to copy, choose where it should go in your Drive, and start the transfer. The process runs in the background and can handle folders with thousands of files.
Rclone is a command-line tool that requires more technical setup but offers more control over what gets copied and how. Google Takeout is Google's own export tool, but it exports your entire Drive or specific folders as a one-time read rather than a direct transfer between accounts.
Understanding permissions when you copy a folder
When you copy files to your own Drive, you become the owner and the original owner loses all control over your copy. They cannot see what you do with the files, cannot edit them, and cannot delete them from your account. This is different from a shortcut, where they retain full control.
If the original folder contained shared files that other people were editing, those sharing permissions do not transfer to your copy. You will need to manually share your copied files with anyone who needs access. The original collaborators will not automatically see your copy.
If you copy a folder that contains files shared by multiple people, you only get access to the files the folder owner shared with you. Files that other collaborators added but did not directly share with you may not copy over, or you may get a version without their edits.
What happens if the original folder is deleted or shared access is removed
If you created a shortcut and the owner deletes the folder, your shortcut becomes a dead link and you cannot access the files anymore. If you made a true copy, you keep your version and nothing changes — the copy is completely independent.
If the owner removes you from the sharing permissions on the original folder, any shortcuts you created will disappear from your Drive within a few minutes. Your copies remain in your account because you own them.
If you need the folder to stay accessible even if the owner's account is deleted or the sharing is revoked, making a copy is the only option. A shortcut is only safe if you trust the owner to keep the folder available and shared with you indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a folder that someone shared with view-only access?
Yes. Even if the owner gave you view-only permission, you can still make a copy of the folder and its files. Your copy will be in your own account where you have full editing rights. The owner's original folder remains unchanged and view-only for you.
Does the folder owner get notified when I copy their folder?
No. If you use the read and re-upload method or a third-party tool, the owner will not know you copied it. If you add a shortcut, they can see it in their sharing activity, but they cannot see what you do with files you copy to your own account afterward.
What if the folder has thousands of files or is over 5 GB?
The read method may time out or fail. Use Multcloud or Rclone instead — both are designed to handle large transfers and will not lose progress if your connection drops. Multcloud resumes automatically; Rclone lets you resume from the command line.
Can I copy a folder that has shared subfolders from different people?
You can copy the files you have access to. If a subfolder is shared by someone else and you do not have direct access to it, that subfolder may not copy over completely. Ask the other collaborators to share those subfolders with you directly, or ask the main folder owner to give you access to all nested folders.
Will copied files stay in sync with the original if the owner makes changes?
No. A copy is independent — if the owner edits a file in the original folder, your copy will not update. Only shortcuts stay linked to the original. If you need files to stay in sync, use a shortcut instead, or ask the owner to share the folder with you for direct collaboration.