Question Windows Copies Instead of Moves Some Folders

[accesscpu_]

On Windows 11, if I move a file/folder from one location to another (on the same drive), it just moves the file. But if I search a folder for a list of file types, then "Select All" and drag them from the search results window, it copies them instead of moving them (even if it's on the same drive).

Not sure why this is happening, as I haven't tweaked any of the system defaults regarding copying/moving files. Anyone know why this is occurring when trying to move files found from the Windows 11 search bar in a folder? I just want everything to move on the between folders on the same drive and not duplicate.

 

[SkyNetRising]

But if I search a folder for a list of file types, then "Select All" and drag them from the search results window, it copies them instead of moving them (even if it's on the same drive).
Anyone know why this is occurring when trying to move files found from the Windows 11 search bar in a folder?

Probably because you're using search results.

If you want files moved (not copied), then
select files, right-click, choose Cut and then
Paste into target folder.

 

[accesscpu_]

Probably because you're using search results.

If you want files moved (not copied), then
select files, right-click, choose Cut and then
Paste into target folder.

Thanks for the info. So just to confirm something here...

In Windows 10, I thought I remember the default behavior was to always just move files/folders when on the same drive. Have they changed that in in Windows 11 (when doing it from searched folders)? And is there a way to default all Windows 11 to just move them, when on the same drive?

 

[SkyNetRising]

If would work normally, if you didn't use search results.

 

[USAFRet]

On Windows 11, if I move a file/folder from one location to another (on the same drive), it just moves the file. But if I search a folder for a list of file types, then "Select All" and drag them from the search results window, it copies them instead of moving them (even if it's on the same drive).

Not sure why this is happening, as I haven't tweaked any of the system defaults regarding copying/moving files. Anyone know why this is occurring when trying to move files found from the Windows 11 search bar in a folder? I just want everything to move on the between folders on the same drive and not duplicate.

Drag n drop within the same drive letter...partition or physical drive, the default is Move.
Drag n drop between 2 different drive letters, the default is Copy.

 

[accesscpu_]

UPDATE:

Strangely enough, now I can't re-create this issue. I created a folder with several different file types, and now they all move by default. I suppose it's possible there were some archives included in the original search (thus trigging copy instead of move), but the behavior is no longer happening. Weird...

I did take a look at this link, and it applies changes by adding a "DefaultDropEffect" dword entry to both HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\* and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects. I just checked my registry, and I do not have any "DefaultDropEffect" entry in either of those locations (and I've not changed anything yet).

Can I assume that is the default setting/behavior for Windows 11 already?

 

[USAFRet]

Search on the whole system may retrieve files from multiple places.

Select all and try to drag n drop may result in different conditions, depending on what and where the files were.

 

[accesscpu_]

Search on the whole system may retrieve files from multiple places.

Select all and try to drag n drop may result in different conditions, depending on what and where the files were.

Makes sense, thanks for the info. This may have just been a weird quirk, or something from another location getting copied over. I think it's good now, as I can't recreate the issue. Much appreciated!

 

[onespeedbiker]

Search on the whole system may retrieve files from multiple places.

Select all and try to drag n drop may result in different conditions, depending on what and where the files were.

That really makes sense. It's incredible how redundant Windows can be sometimes. I remember looking for a lost download one time and found three copies of it at different locations.