# Moving projects to a NAS **URL:** \ **Category:** Scrivener\ **Tags:** support, os-related, sync\ **Created:** [October 12, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484 "2025-10-12T14:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![seanpaune](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/seanpaune/32/35454_2.png) [@seanpaune](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/seanpaune)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/1 "2025-10-12T14:50:43Z")
I have an office and house on my property. I finally have successfully networked the two buildings together so I’m thinking I should move my projects to my NAS so I can open them from either location. I have no concerns about copies being opened at both locations at the same time for numerous reasons, namely I always shut my computers down when I leave either building. I just want my Mac Mini at the office and my MBP at home to pull from the same folder so I can work on the projects whenever I feel like it without having to worry if a sync has happened etc. What is the best way for me to move the projects? ---
**Author:** ![rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/rms)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/2 "2025-10-12T15:21:53Z")
Simplistically, make a folders in your “home” folder on the NAS, use macOS “Finder” app to copy across using care and understanding the folder names thus created, reconfigure your applications to find the data they previously expected on your local drive to now be on the NAS. You’ll likely get a performance hit as access the NAS across the network surely won’t be as performant as your local disk, so hopefully your apps can withstand that. Some don’t. Me, I’d probably store the files on the NAS but sync with local and continue to run the apps off the local synced copies. Just my preference which I understand is opposite your preference. ---
**Author:** ![seanpaune](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/seanpaune/32/35454_2.png) [@seanpaune](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/seanpaune)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/3 "2025-10-12T16:28:58Z")
So long as I can write from either location, I’m really fine with it. ---
**Author:** ![rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/rms)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/4 "2025-10-12T16:40:19Z")
But was your question answered? Have you tested your plan? Works? ---
**Author:** ![seanpaune](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/seanpaune/32/35454_2.png) [@seanpaune](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/seanpaune)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/5 "2025-10-12T17:53:18Z")
What I ended up doing was opening all the projects in Scriv, did “Save As” and saved them to the new folder on the NAS. It’s a tiny bit slower, but negligible. I’m a frequent backup saver, plus the main book is currently in beta with Word docs and PDFs of everything saved as well I think I’ll be safe. Just gotten tired of getting an idea at home and thinking, “I’ll have to add that in the morning!” Would rather strike while the iron is hot. ---
**Author:** ![fwrunner2018](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@fwrunner2018](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/fwrunner2018)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/6 "2026-10-25T18:40:11Z")
Hey guys; I am running Scrivener for Windows ver 3.1.60 64-bit on Windows 11. I have been using my laptop for a while now, but will be moving back to my Windows 11 desktop box soon. That said, I want to have a shared storage location for Scrivener projects so I can work with them on either computer. I have tried using Dropbox, but it has been so frustrating I have given it up. I now use the ‘sneaker net’ to share files between the two Windows computers. That works, except that I worry that I will someday overwrite the newer project files with the older ones because I wasn’t paying attention. For this reason, I am considering a NAS which will be accessible from both computers. Has anyone had experience working with live Scrivener files on a network share? Thanks for your help fwrunner ---
**Author:** ![rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/rms)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/7 "2026-10-25T19:25:07Z")
Why not try sharing the folder on one of the Windows machine with the other across your local network? No other gadgets req’d. ---
**Author:** ![Dor](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Dor](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Dor)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/8 "2026-10-25T19:46:55Z")
> [@fwrunner2018](#): > > I worry that I will someday overwrite the newer project files with the older ones because I wasn’t paying attention. If you have frequent backups into a location that isn’t in active use, then you should always have a safety net. Even if it’s Dropbox. ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/9 "2026-10-25T20:46:34Z")
I’ve merged your post with an existing recent topic on this matter, but do also run a forum search for [`in:title NAS #scrivener`](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/search?q=in%3Atitle%20NAS%20%23scrivener%20), where you will find many years worth of discussions. Not much will have changed with the fundamental technology over the past few decades, seeing as how they are all based on established file sharing protocols. The main difference is that nowadays you can find an NAS that will fit into a coat pocket, instead of a server closet. 🙂 In short though, file sharing works fine, just a little slower. I use it between my systems on a daily basis to avoid copying projects around or resorting to slow internet-based cloud syncing (and the added risks and complications those bring). > I now use the ‘sneaker net’ to share files between the two Windows computers. That works, except that I worry that I will someday overwrite the newer project files with the older ones because I wasn’t paying attention. As to that though, have a look at the `File ▸ Back Up ▸ Back Up To...` menu command. Target your thumb drive (or whatever) with that, and you’ll greatly reduce risks along those lines, as this command adds a date and time stamp, and also offers optional Zip compression, which introduces the protection of being unable to accidentally edit the transit copies directly (never mind saving space and speeding up copy times enormously). ---
**Author:** ![GoalieDad](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/goaliedad/32/28584_2.png) [@GoalieDad](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/GoalieDad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 7:53am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/10 "2026-10-26T07:53:04Z")
I use google drive (100 gigs for 2 dollars a month) which is much cheaper than the Dropbox paid option) with zip compression and dates to share between locations. I will move project being updated out of the folder where I store projects on computer X, then unzip the updated project backup into the project folder on computer X. It takes a minute or two, so I check mail while it downloads. Never lost anything. ---
**Author:** ![RuffPub](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/ruffpub/32/36024_2.png) [@RuffPub](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/RuffPub)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 8:19am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/11 "2026-10-26T08:19:01Z")
The free tier on Dropbox is more than enough for dozens of large projects. I have 8GB free through recommending it to friends. For each friend, both of you get an additional 500MB up to 16GB. ---
**Author:** ![RuffPub](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/ruffpub/32/36024_2.png) [@RuffPub](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/RuffPub)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 8:20am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/12 "2026-10-26T08:20:42Z")
Good if you’re okay with Google’s privacy policies. I’m not. I use Sync, Canadian based and famous for ‘Elbows Up’ if the Yanks get snoopy. ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/13 "2026-10-26T10:06:25Z")
Seeing as how they indicated not being pleased with how cloud sync works, I am not sure if I understand the purpose of promoting cloud sync in a thread about using local network file sharing (a superior method on almost every front if one is willing to set it up). ---
**Author:** ![Dor](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Dor](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Dor)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/14 "2026-10-26T10:49:40Z")
Issues with cloud sync aren’t the same as issues with cloud backup. But does demonstrate that they’re not allergic to cloud. And, depending on devices used, local storage may or may not be an easy option. ---
**Author:** ![fwrunner2018](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@fwrunner2018](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/fwrunner2018)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 11:59am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/15 "2026-10-26T11:59:02Z")
I have tried Windows 11 netowrking out of the box, but it never works. My laptop cannot see the share on my desktop or v/v. I gave up in frustration the last time I tried it. ---
**Author:** ![rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rms](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/rms)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/16 "2026-10-26T12:33:14Z")
That is a pity. I have been using local network file sharing successfully for probably almost 40 years. It does work. I accept you cannot make it work but the alternatives you seek are probably more complicated. Perhaps rather than seek help here get some help from a local expert who can set things up for you and support you as you progress your writing projects. ---
**Author:** ![GoalieDad](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/goaliedad/32/28584_2.png) [@GoalieDad](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/GoalieDad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/17 "2026-10-26T13:01:49Z")
All they see are zip files so they have no access to the information. ---
**Author:** ![fwrunner2018](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@fwrunner2018](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/fwrunner2018)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/18 "2026-10-26T18:11:33Z")
I’ll give the Windows network another try when I get my desktop set up. ---
**Author:** ![RuffPub](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/ruffpub/32/36024_2.png) [@RuffPub](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/RuffPub)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/moving-projects-to-a-nas/151484/19 "2026-10-26T18:54:42Z")
I’m certainly not promoting cloud sync, just responded to a post. I use a NAS for some of my syncing requirements.