Hi Anthony,

If you modify the folder level file root (from the files tab), the server won't attempt to move files even if you are going from the default to an override or from an override to the default. Historically, LabKey regards default file roots as 'managed' and will attempt to move and keep file pointers up to date. Non-managed roots (folder/project overrides and file sets) are assumed to be under the control of the user and the server won't try to do anything with them. We could perhaps look to change this in the future and possibly give users the option to move artifacts automatically.

If you manually move the files, then yes you would need to manually update any exp.Data references.

If a folder (or project) is using a default root, then they could be moved using the 'move' button in the folder management->folder tree tab. This should move files and virtual directories as well as fixup file references in the system. I realize this isn't exactly the scenario you were looking for, but I'm not aware of another way that the underlying file system root can get modified and consistency maintained.

- Karl