This tutorial will show you how to change the default drag and drop action to always copy, move, or create shortcut for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
When you drag and drop files and folders in Windows, they will get moved or copied by default based on the source and destination locations.
- If you drag and drop a file/folder from a location on one drive to another drive, then the default action will be to copy the file/folder to the drop location.
- If you drag and drop a file/folder from a local location to a network location, then the default action will be to copy the file/folder to the drop location.
- If you drag and drop a file/folder from or to a CD/DVD or Blu-ray, then the default action will always be to copy the file/folder to the drop location. This cannot be changed.
- If you drag and drop a file/folder from a location to another on the same drive, then the default action will be to move the file/folder to the drop location.
- If you drag and drop a file/folder to the Recycle Bin, then the default action will always be to move the file/folder to the drop location. This cannot be changed.
- Press and hold the Ctrl key while you drag and drop to always copy.
- Press and hold the Shift key while you drag and drop to always move.
- Press and hold the Alt key or Ctrl + Shift keys while you drag and drop to always create a shortcut.
You must be signed in as an administrator to change the default drag and drop action for all users.
EXAMPLE: Drag and Drop to "Copy", "Move", or "Create link" (shortcut)
Here's How:
1 Do step 2 (always copy), step 3 (always move), step 4 (always create shortcut), or step 5 (default) below for what you would like to set the default drag and drop action to be.
2 Set Default Drag and Drop Action to Always Copy
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
Set_Drag_and_Drop_to_Copy_by_default.reg
Download
(Content of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*]
"DefaultDropEffect"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects]
"DefaultDropEffect"=dword:000000013 Set Default Drag and Drop Action to Always Move
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
Set_Drag_and_Drop_to_Move_by_default.reg
Download
(Content of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*]
"DefaultDropEffect"=dword:00000002
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects]
"DefaultDropEffect"=dword:000000024 Set Default Drag and Drop Action to Always Create Shortcut
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
Set_Drag_and_Drop_to_Create_Shortcut_by_default.reg
Download
(Content of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*]
"DefaultDropEffect"=dword:00000004
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects]
"DefaultDropEffect"=dword:000000045 Restore Default Drag and Drop Action
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
Set_Drag_and_Drop_to_Default.reg
Download
(Content of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*]
"DefaultDropEffect"=-
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects]
"DefaultDropEffect"=-6 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
7 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
8 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
