FAQs
This issue is a known thing that can happen and theres not much that can be done about it. Google Drive doesn't enforce unuque folder names, which means you can have lots of paths with identical names.
Why is Google Drive creating duplicate folders? ›
Duplicate files in Google Drive appear for a variety of reasons, ranging from misconfiguration of the cloud itself, synchronization problems, and errors when copying or moving content to problems with the file system in general. They are most common when synchronizing between multiple devices.
How to create multiple folders at once with different names in Google Drive? ›
Click the + button (top left of the Drive tile) and select New Files/Folders. 6. Name your new folders or files and select their File Type from the drop-down. You can add multiple lines in each box.
Can multiple files have the same name in Google Drive? ›
If you upload a file with the same name, Google Drive will upload the file as a revision of the file already in Google Drive. To keep both files: On your computer, go to drive.google.com. Upload a file.
How do I delete files with the same name in Google Drive? ›
Long-press the control key and click all "Copy of" or "same name, number" duplicates. Step 3. Right-click a file and click remove to eliminate all duplicates in Google Drive.
How do I stop Google Drive from duplicating files? ›
How to Stop Google Drive from Duplicating Files | 3 Ways + 4 Tips
- Method 1. Remove uploaded items from the source folder.
- Method 2. Uninstall and reinstall Google Drive desktop app.
- Method 3. Turn off the sync feature and upload files manually.
We recommend that you keep the original file.
- On your Android device, open Files by Google .
- Tap Menu Clean .
- On the “Duplicate files” card, tap Select files.
- Select the files you want to delete.
- At the bottom, tap Move x file(s) to Trash.
- On the confirmation dialog, tap Move x file(s) to Trash.
Yes, unfortunately this can happen in the case of conflicts. The documents (and folders) have different id's, but the same name. You can rename and/or exclude them.
Why do I have two Google Drive folders on my computer? ›
After installing Google Drive for desktop, you will see two new locations to view the files that are synced with Google Drive. In some instances, the migration process can cause an extra, un-synced duplicate folder to be created. This is usually the 'old' folder from using Backup and Sync.
How do I create a separate folder in Google Drive? ›
To create a new folder, click the New button in the upper-left corner of your screen, beneath the Google Drive logo.
- Click the "New" button to create a new folder. ...
- Click either "Folder" or "Folder upload." ...
- Name your folder and hit "Create." ...
- Drag and drop your files or click the "New" button again.
You cannot have two files in the same directory with the same name. If you could, how would you be able to tell which file Fred.
Can you have two files with the same name? ›
In modern operating systems you can't have files with the same name within the same folder, as the name is directly part of how the file system knows where the file is (like in Windows), or the OS enforces unique names for ease of use. One point to note on this is that the file extension (. pdf, .
What are the rules for file names in Google Drive? ›
Also, keep these rules in mind.
- Don't start or end your filename with a space, period, hyphen, or underline.
- Keep your filenames to a reasonable length and be sure they are under 31 characters.
- Most operating systems are case sensitive; always use lowercase.
- Avoid using spaces and underscores; use a hyphen instead.
Manage storage through Google One
- On your computer, go to Google One.
- Click Storage.
- Under "Get your space back," click Free up account storage.
- Under "Clean up suggested items" or "Clean up by service," click a category or service you want to review.
- Select the files to delete.
Only the file owner can trash a file, and other users can't view files in the owner's trash. If you attempt to trash a file you don't own, you receive an insufficientFilePermissions error. For more information, see Permissions.
How do I merge folders on Google Drive? ›
Drag and drop the items from one Google Drive to another. To copy the files or folders, hold the Ctrl key when you drag and drop them. If the Ctrl key is not held, "Backup and Sync" will move the content from one account into the other.
Why is OneDrive duplicating my files? ›
Conflicting Files: If you have multiple devices connected to the same OneDrive account, conflicting changes may occur. For example, if you edit a file on two different devices simultaneously, it might create OneDrive duplicate files to preserve both versions.
How do I stop Google Docs from making copies? ›
To prevent your files in Google Drive from being downloaded, printed and copied: Select one or more files in Google Drive, click Share. In the top right corner click on the gear icon. Uncheck the box “Viewers and commenters can see the option to download, print, and copy.”
Why are my files duplicating? ›
Downloading files multiple times is the most common reason you end up having duplicates on your computer. In many cases, we unknowingly download files twice from email attachments, websites, and social media apps, which accumulate over time and make matters worse.
