Question Drag and drop default action

[punkncat]

I reformatted the work W11 box when I changed the CPU.

Previously I had the default set that when I drag and drop a file it would move instead of copy. I was able to do this with the left mouse button. I don't recall what I changed to make that happen.

When I search now it is telling me to right click, then select move/copy after letting go of the mouse button. I cannot seem to find the setting to change it and honestly it may have migrated from the previous W10 install that this was before the update.

Can anyone assist?

 

[USAFRet]

I reformatted the work W11 box when I changed the CPU.

Previously I had the default set that when I drag and drop a file it would move instead of copy. I was able to do this with the left mouse button. I don't recall what I changed to make that happen.

When I search now it is telling me to right click, then select move/copy after letting go of the mouse button. I cannot seem to find the setting to change it and honestly it may have migrated from the previous W10 install that this was before the update.

Can anyone assist?

Is this within one drive or partition, or between two drives or partitions.

The default is different for each circumstance.

Within the same drive letter, Move.
Between two drive letters, Copy.

 

[punkncat]

This is from the Downloads folder to a folder on the desktop that I use to edit. Same partition.

The right click thing works, it just isn't the way it was happening and cannot seem to locate a way to change that default action. Is it possible with W11?

 

[USAFRet]

This is from the Downloads folder to a folder on the desktop that I use to edit. Same partition.

The right click thing works, it just isn't the way it was happening and cannot seem to locate a way to change that default action. Is it possible with W11?

Right.
The default for that is Move. Same drive letter/partition == Move.

It has been that way forever. At least since Win 7, almost certainly before.

 

[punkncat]

Right.
The default for that is Move. Same drive letter/partition == Move.

It has been that way forever. At least since Win 7, almost certainly before.

It is not responding that way. Left click from-to any other folder is "copy". Is there a checkmark in advanced settings I am missing or something?

edit- and apologies if this is a mundane or silly question. Adobe Acrobat has been kicking my butt for the last couple of hours which got me quite a bit flustered.

 

[USAFRet]

hmm....I just tried it (Win 11 Pro).

Leftclick drag n drop from Desktop to a random folder on the C - Move.

Leftclick drag n drop from Desktop to a random folder on some other drive - Copy.

(and the reverse)


Is it possible your Download folder is elsewhere?

 

[Ralston18]

Not an answer - just a comment.

I avoid "Move" and always use "Copy". A glitch during "Move" can leave data in electronic limbo.

Even though I have backups I still avoid "Move".

 

[USAFRet]

Not an answer - just a comment.

I avoid "Move" and always use "Copy". A glitch during "Move" can leave data in electronic limbo.

Even though I have backups I still avoid "Move".

Same here.

 

[punkncat]

Not an answer - just a comment.

I avoid "Move" and always use "Copy". A glitch during "Move" can leave data in electronic limbo.

Even though I have backups I still avoid "Move".

Understood and especially from the safety of not losing content. In my use case it is far easier just to move than to backtrack on each and every thing required with my work flow. Too many files in succession to make that (good) advice something I wish to do all the time.

Much of what I work with is easy to recover or re-download, such as I often am just pulling it in from an email attachment, etc. so that fear is mostly unfounded in this situation. I do appreciate your looking out and mentioning safe best practice.