Permission & Access Issues

Fix Cannot Move or Copy Files From a Shared Folder

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to move or copy files from a shared folder despite having edit permissions, likely due to ownership restrictions or organizational policies.

Product: Cloud Drive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to move or copy files from a shared folder into a personal account or another directory.
Observed behavior: The system prevents the moving or copying of files, restricting file operations even though the user has edit access to the folder.

Before you start

Verify your current network connection and ensure you are logged into the correct account that received the shared folder invitation before troubleshooting permission issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Request a New Shared Folder from the Owner

Often, creating a fresh shared folder resets any corrupted or misconfigured permission metadata.

In many cloud storage systems, edit permissions do not automatically grant ownership rights to move files. By creating a new folder and re-uploading the files, the owner can bypass underlying permission conflicts that may have locked the file operations.

Contact the Folder Owner

Reach out to the original owner of the shared folder and explain the restriction you are facing.

Create a New Folder

Ask them to create a brand new folder in their root drive directory.

Re-upload the Files

Have the owner upload or copy the necessary files directly into this newly created folder.

Share the New Folder

Request the owner to share the new folder with your account, ensuring 'Editor' or full access permissions are selected.

Alternative Method: If re-uploading large files is not feasible, the owner can try making a copy of the files within their own drive first and sharing the copies instead.

Solution 2

Verify Sharing, Copying, and Download Permissions

If a new folder doesn't work, the folder owner or workspace administrator must adjust specific sharing restrictions.

Seamless Cloud File Sharing

Manage Shared Folder Permissions Easily with WPS Office

WPS Office provides robust cloud storage solutions with granular permission controls, making it easy to share, copy, and manage files collaboratively without dealing with complex permission lockouts.

1. Access WPS Cloud: Open WPS Office and navigate to the 'WPS Cloud' tab on the left sidebar.
2. Share the Folder: Right-click the folder you want to share and select 'Share' from the context menu.
3. Adjust Permissions: Set the permission level to 'Can Edit' and ensure no unnecessary copying restrictions are applied.
4. Collaborate: Copy the sharing link and send it to your collaborators to begin seamless file management.

Clear, easy-to-manage folder permissions for copying and downloading.Seamless collaboration across devices with WPS Cloud.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office file formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Free and lightweight alternative to heavy cloud office suites.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I edit a shared file but not copy it?

Edit permissions allow you to modify the file's content, but the folder owner may have restricted the ability to download, print, or copy the file through advanced settings to protect their intellectual property or adhere to organizational security policies.

Does moving a shared file change its ownership?

Usually, moving a file out of a shared folder into your personal drive transfers ownership to you. Because of this, many cloud storage systems restrict moving files to prevent the original owner from losing access. Use 'Copy' instead of 'Move' if you want a personal version.

How do I know who owns the shared folder?

You can typically find the owner by right-clicking the shared folder in your drive, selecting 'Properties' or 'Details', and checking the 'Owner' or 'Shared by' information displayed in the properties sidebar.

Document & File Issues