# What the NotchStar shelf remembers: locations, not contents

> The shelf keeps the location of each file, like an alias, not a copy of its contents. Dragging out uses the original file on your disk.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-the-notchstar-shelf-remembers/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

The shelf remembers where each file is, not what is inside it. Dropping a file stores its location, the way an alias does. Nothing is copied or moved. When you drag an icon out, you are dragging the original file from its original folder.

## What is kept

- The location of each file you dropped, held in memory while NotchStar runs.
- The name and icon, which are read from that location when the icon is drawn.

## What is not kept

- A copy of the file. Dropping a 2 GB video adds no 2 GB to your disk.
- The contents, which NotchStar does not read to build the shelf. The privacy page says the same: the file shelf remembers where files are, not their contents.
- Anything after you quit. See [what happens when you quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-happens-to-the-shelf-when-you-quit/).

## Why it matters

1. **Speed.** An icon appears at once, whatever the file size.
2. **No duplicates.** Edits you make to the original are what you drag out later.
3. **A catch.** If you move, rename or delete the original, the shelf entry no longer points to anything. Read [why a file looks missing after moving it](https://www.notchstar.com/help/why-a-shelf-file-looks-missing-after-moving-it/).

See the [File Shelf page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/file-shelf/) for the tool overview.

## Quick answers.

### Does the shelf use extra disk space?

No. It stores only the location of each file, so dropping a file on the shelf does not make a copy.

## Keep reading.

- [A shelf and an AirDrop zone in the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/file-shelf/): Park files in the notch while you work, then drag them out or AirDrop them. Drag a file toward the notch and the shelf opens by itself.
- [What happens to the NotchStar shelf when you quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-happens-to-the-shelf-when-you-quit/): The shelf empties when NotchStar quits. Your files stay where they were, because the shelf only held their locations. Drop them again next time.
- [Why a file on the NotchStar shelf stops working after you move it](https://www.notchstar.com/help/why-a-shelf-file-looks-missing-after-moving-it/): The shelf remembers where a file was. If you move, rename or delete the original, its shelf icon no longer leads to it. Remove it and drop it again.
- [Is the NotchStar file shelf private](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-shelf-privacy/): The shelf remembers where files are, not their contents, and is cleared when you quit. NotchStar has no account and sends no files anywhere.

## More in Shelf and AirDrop.

- [How to drop a file on the NotchStar shelf](https://www.notchstar.com/help/drop-a-file-on-the-notch-shelf/): Drag a file toward the notch and the Shelf tab opens. Drop it in the dashed zone and it waits there until you drag it out or send it.
- [How to open the NotchStar shelf by dragging a file](https://www.notchstar.com/help/open-the-shelf-by-dragging-toward-the-notch/): Drag a file toward the top of the screen near the notch and NotchStar opens the Shelf by itself. Let go elsewhere and it closes again.
- [Why the NotchStar shelf does not open for text or images](https://www.notchstar.com/help/why-the-shelf-does-not-open-for-text-or-images/): Drag to open reacts to files only. Text and images dragged from a web page do not open the shelf. Save the image as a file first, then drag it.
- [How to AirDrop a file from your Mac notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/airdrop-a-file-from-the-notch/): Drag a file toward the notch and drop it on the AirDrop zone. The macOS AirDrop picker opens with the file attached. Pick a device to send.
- [What the AirDrop zone in the NotchStar shelf does](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-the-airdrop-zone-does/): The AirDrop zone does not keep files. Whatever you drop on it opens the macOS AirDrop picker with those files attached, and nothing is stored.
- [How to AirDrop from your Mac notch to an iPhone](https://www.notchstar.com/help/airdrop-from-the-notch-to-an-iphone/): Drop a file on the NotchStar AirDrop zone, then tap your iPhone in the picker. The iPhone must be nearby with AirDrop receiving turned on.